Imagine a rectangular building humming with activity. That’s Broadway Shopping Centre in Bexleyheath. It’s more than just shops. Broadway Shopping Centre is a central hub for this community.
The Broadway Shopping Centre’s story begins long before its grand opening. Before the shops and the crowds, there was Hides department store. There was also the Lord Bexley Arms pub. These local spots gave way to something new.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened the Broadway Shopping Centre on March 13, 1984. But parts of the centre were already welcoming shoppers. Woolworths opened its doors in November 1981. It was the first taste of what was to come.
Broadway Shopping Centre is the largest covered shopping facility in the London Borough of Bexley. The Broadway Shopping Centre has a rich history marked by expansions, renovations, and adaptations to meet changing needs.
Originally known as the Broadway Shopping Centre, it briefly rebranded as The Mall Bexleyheath. In 2009, Broadway Shopping Centre reverted to its original name. This change reflects the centre’s strong local identity.
The Broadway Shopping Centre is cleverly designed. The building has four stories. Retail shops occupy the ground level. The first floor houses service areas and offices. Upper floors provide parking space for 1,000 vehicles.
Inside Broadway Shopping Centre, three covered malls converge on a central square. Shops also line the Broadway itself. The sloped land creates an inclined mall from the Broadway entrance. Townley Road entrance is connected by steps.
Over the years, the Broadway Shopping Centre has seen many changes. Woolworths once held a prominent spot. After its closure, the space was redeveloped. It welcomed new stores like H&M and New Look. Morleys Stores opened a large department store in 2017.
Broadway Shopping Centre has adapted to provide space for new businesses. Small kiosks offer unique retail opportunities. The centre even hosted a competition for new retailers.
Broadway Shopping Centre is easy to reach. It has entrances on Broadway, Townley Road, and Norwich Place. Vehicle access is via Albion Road. Public transportation is readily available.
Broadway Shopping Centre boasts over 59 retail shop units. You can find Boots, Card Factory, GAME and Greggs. H&M, Marks & Spencer, New Look and Sainsbury’s are all here. Superdrug and WHSmith also have stores.
A refurbishment in 2007 brought significant changes. The interior got a new look with a white and gray ceiling. New skylights brought in more natural light. The entrances were updated with glazed white frontages.
Broadway Square, adjacent to the Broadway Shopping Centre, adds more shopping options. It features a strip mall format. You can find TK Maxx, JD Sports, and Wilko there. The Furze Wren pub offers a place to relax.
The story of Broadway Shopping Centre is one of constant evolution. From its early days to its current form, it remains a vital part of Bexleyheath. It’s a place where people come to shop, meet, and connect. It’s more than just a shopping centre. It’s a community hub.