Demolition begins at Kingstanding Shopping Centre, locals say ‘it’s about time’

Demolition has finally begun at Kingstanding Shopping Centre as locals say ‘it’s about time’. The iconic shopping centre at in the heart of Kingstanding Circle had deteriorated for years before finally closing down in December last year.

The few shops left clinging to life including Card Factory, Farmfoods and Domino’s finally pulled the shutters down just before Christmas. Once a bustling hive of activity with many residents having grown up shopping there, the spot declined into a boarded up space painted with graffiti.

Now crane operators are knocking down the site to make way for a giant Lidl store that will replace the old shopping centre. The fire-ravaged Kingstanding Pub nearby will also face the bulldozers.

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Ahead of the Kingstanding by-election, won last week by the Conservatives, locals shared their thoughts on the demolition of Kingstanding Shopping Centre and how they hope it will transform the ward.

Pensioner Derek Knight, 80, of Kings Road said: “I’ve wanted Kingstanding Shopping Centre demolished for years, it was decent shopping centre first but it got worse and worse. I’m all for a new Lidl and it will be a benefit to the community. It will also encourage people to use the local shops opposite as well.

“Apart from the Kingstanding Shopping Centre which I wanted demolished, motorbikes come up around the circle and do in excess 70-75mph. When you have kids and people on pavements, it’s usually younger ones using the road like a race track.

“I have got grandchildren and I dread them getting to the end of the footpath in case something comes down. There has to be some legislation to stop them coming at that speed, maybe speed bumps.”

Robert Valentine, 64, lives just next to the shopping centre said: “I am glad the demolition is happening and it will be better than what it was. The only issue is parking and we don’t know if they will put double yellow lines here.”

Abigail Lewis, 26, has just come back to Kingstanding after moving away. She said: “A lot has changed here. The pub needed to go a long time ago and the shopping centre, I used to love the pick and mix down there. As long as it (Lidl) can bring the community together so people are not arguing or getting drunk outside it, I am happy for that.

“There are a lot of single parents with children and a Lidl there will be easier to get to than driving to Asda.”

The new Lidl will be built on the corner between Kings Road and Kingstanding Road within the Circle local centre on the border between Oscott and Kingstanding. The retail giant announced it wants to ‘restore and improve’ the local centre’s quality and enhance customer shopping choices.

Plans show a total of 118 parking spaces would be provided on-site. Once officially open Lidl will be open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week including bank holidays, 118 parking spaces built in.

Councillors were over the moon, hoping for a ‘domino effect’ of jobs and investment that will benefit Kingstanding Circle.

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