Purley Precinct Closure Crisis:
Local Economy on Brink as Businesses Plead for Action
Urgent
Call for Action: Prolonged Closure of Downlands Precinct Severely Impacting
Purley Businesses
The continuous closure of the Downlands Precinct, a vital
walkthrough connecting Brighton Road and High Street in Purley, has created an
unsustainable situation for local businesses. Since the ceiling collapse in
September 2023, repeated promises for repairs have been unfulfilled, leading to
significant distress in the community.
Local Florist’s Plea
for Urgency
Adrija Sikorskyte, owner of Garden Scents, expresses the struggle: “As a
local florist, the closure of the precinct has not just limited customer access
but suffocated the vibrancy that once flourished here. Our regular customers
find it difficult to navigate, and the foot traffic has drastically reduced. We
were promised a swift resolution, but months have passed, and our pleas seem to
fall on deaf ears.”
Purley BID CEO Demands
Accountability
Simon Cripps, CEO of the Purley Business Improvement District (BID), states: “The
situation at Downlands Precinct is a clear example of bureaucratic inefficiency
impacting real lives. Our businesses are the backbone of Purley’s economy, and
the continued closure is unacceptable. We demand immediate action from the
management company to uphold their responsibilities and restore access as a
matter of urgency.”
Local
Councillor’s Condemnation
Councillor Samir Dwesar says: “The inaction by the management company and
their contractors is not just a delay; it’s a denial of our community’s right
to thrive. Blaming insurance issues and leaks is no longer acceptable. The
businesses in Purley are suffering, and every day the precinct remains closed,
we lose a part of our community’s economic vitality.”
Unified Demand for
Action
The collective voice of Purley’s business community is clear: immediate action is needed to repair and reopen the Downlands Precinct. The ongoing closure has not only impacted individual businesses but also the overall economic health and community spirit of Purley. The business community of Purley calls on the management company, Parkfords Management Ltd, to prioritise this issue and provide a clear, fast timeline for the precinct’s reopening. The resilience of the community is strong, but it should not be tested by avoidable negligence.