Eden Shopping Centre: Retail Development Brings High Quality Public Realm to Town Centre

Civic Square at night, design was mindful of night-time economy.

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Once a thriving mill town, High Wycombe combines elements of a typical market town with those of an industrial conurbation. In recent years, the centre, which was redeveloped in the 1960s, was becoming increasingly outdated and less competitive compared to the retail offerings of surrounding towns, such as Reading and Milton Keynes.

Regeneration plans for the town included strengthening its position as a desirable shopping destination. Proposals for a mixed-use development, the Eden Shopping Centre, including over 100 shops, cinema, library, modern apartments and the relocation of the central bus station would all contribute would significantly to meeting this aspiration. LDA Design was appointed by Stannifer in 2002 to prepare design proposals for all external areas and was re-appointed by Multiplex, Eden's developer, to undertake the detailed design of the scheme and oversee its implementation.

Prior to development much of the site provided temporary parking surrounded by neglected buildings. A key design constraint was the necessity to deliver the scheme around an existing supermarket that occupies a central location within the development area, while also integrating the site with the surrounding urban fabric and adjoining retail areas.

A new bus station and additional car parking were essential to the development. Careful consideration was also given to improving pedestrian links with the surrounding town and thoroughfares through the development were treated as external streets rather than internal arcades.

Part of our brief was to create a ‘greener' environment so trees, complemented by natural stone and granite finishes were introduced. High quality furniture and art works are also part of the public spaces.

Eden was not intended as an indoor shopping centre, its partially covered streets link the shops with the new civic square while protecting pedestrians from the elements, yet allowing space, light and air. A series of contrasting squares encourages people to linger and enjoy any ad hoc activities and performances and a water feature in the main square provides a focal point. The new amenities, along with the cafes and anchor retail outlets, have all contributed to reinvigorating the local economy while improving the retail offer in the centre of High Wycombe.

Eden was opened to the public in spring 2008 and is proving to be a great success in brining increased footfall to the town.