Westwood Cross

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Westwood Cross


caption =
location = Broadstairs, Kent, England
opening_date = 2005
manager =
developer = Carillion Richardson Partnership
owner = Land Securities
number_of_stores = 22
number_of_anchors = 4
floor_area
floors = Max. 2
parking = 400 spaces

"Westwood Cross" is a shopping centre in Westwood in Broadstairs , Thanet, East Kent. It was built by Carillion and opened in June 2005.

Main shopping centre

The centre has received a mixed responseFact|date=March 2008 from local people and the press; it is felt by many who live there that the neighbouring towns of Margate and Ramsgate have suffered as a result of the centre. During the planning stages, developers initially bought residents' properties on the site at market value; however, the development was plagued by rumours of ill-treatment, coercion and bullying of those residents who chose not to sell their homes.

The prime objectiveFact|date=March 2008 is to try and persuade shoppers to leave the neighboring towns of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate in their droves, causing them to become 'ghost towns'. The development is not enclosed and features a pedestrian parade, designedFact|date=March 2008 to have a high street feel to it. This parade is host to a continental market during the weekFact|date=June 2008.

There is a Sainsbury's, McDonalds and a large Tesco Extra nearby. Recently, J Sainsbury PLC announced a partnership with Land Securities which included their site next to Westwood Cross which is also owned by Land Securities.

hops

Shops at Westwood Cross include
* Waterstones
* Debenhams
* Dorothy Perkins
* Evans
* GAME
* HMV
* H&M
* Marks and Spencer
* Monsoon
* Next
* The Perfume Shop
* TK Maxx
* Topman
* Topshop
* Burton
* WHSmithRefreshments are available at Bakers Oven, Caffe Nero, Coffee Republic, Subway and Costa Coffee.

Transport connections

On one side of the centre is a bus station, served by Stagecoach in East Kent and Eastonways. In particular Stagecoach in East Kent's Thanet Loop passes through the centre. The nearest train station is located at Ramsgate, which is approximately 2 miles away. The next nearest town centre is Broadstairs (whose boundries include Westwood Cross), although this is a small town centre with few major shops.

New developments

In October 2007 an entertainment development began to open on a site to the southwest of Westwood Cross. This comprises four restaurants, a large Vue multiplex cinema (opened in November 2007), a casino and Gala bingo hall which both opened in March 2008. As yetwhen the effects of this development on similar facilities in Broadstairs, Westgate-on-Sea, Ramsgate and Margate have not been ascertained. New housing is also planned for the area around Westwood.Fact|date=May 2008

Phase Two of Westwood Cross is currently being developed following the relocation of the Wickes store which formerly stood beside the bus station. This addition to the centre includes several new retail units and space for up to three restaurants along with extra parkingFact|date=June 2008.

Nearby Towns

Immedient Locality

* Broadstairs (within which it is technically located)
* Margate
* Westgate-on-Sea
* Ramsgate
* Birchington

Nearby Notable Towns

* Sandwich, Kent
* Canterbury

Local Reactions

The centre has received a mixed response from local commenters with the local blogging community being largly indifferent or somewhat negative towards it. [http://bignewsmargate.blogspot.com/search/label/Westwood%20Cross] [http://www.ademweb.co.uk/blog/?p=954]

References