Edmonton Green Shopping Centre

Edmonton Green Shopping Centre is a major shopping centre in Edmonton in the east of the London Borough of Enfield. Located close to Edmonton Green railway station and many bus routes. [ [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/edmontongreen-2079.pdf Transport for london- Buses] Retrieved April 09 2008]

History

Edmonton's population grew with the opening of the high level railway at Edmonton Green station in 1872, the traffic produced by the railway, together with a tramway opened by North London Tramways Company in 1881, brought a working class population to Lower Edmonton and, apart from housing development, encouraged the development of Edmonton Green's outdoor market. This had always been the major centre for the village, but by the early 20th century its character had changed to a busy, raucous Cockney centre, alive with costermongers barrows and food stalls, the venue for travelling circuses and fairs. On several occasions the local council tried to close the market down without success. [ Godfrey. A ( notes to)" Old Ordnance Survey Maps: London Sheet 1, Lower Edmonton 1894" Alan Godfrey Maps ISBN 0850549663 Retrieved April 09 2008 ] .

By the 1930s the area had become a major shopping destination drawing visitors from a wide catchment area. The early post war years saw much of the area in a run down state. There was also an acute housing shortage. Comprehensive redevelopment of the area was agreed in 1960, to a plan by Frederick Gibberd & Partners for a radically transformed urban centre with a pedestrian shopping area, car parking for 3000, 750 flats including three tower blocks and new civic and amenity buildings to replace the old town hall and baths. When Edmonton was incorporated within the new London Borough of Enfield (1965) plans for the civic buildings were abandoned. Only the leisure centre (demolished 2007) set in a car park was completed. Building began on the redevelopment in 1965 and completed in 1974.

The crenellated perpendicular Edmonton Town Hall was completed in 1884 by G. Eedes Eachus. [ [http://www.enfield.gov.uk/511/Church%20Street%20Fore%20St%20CAA%20Final%20approved%202006.pdf p11 Photo of Town Hall] Retrieved April 11 2008] The building was enlarged in 1902-3 by W. Gilbee Scott, who added the public swimming baths. Both buildings were demolished in 1989. Cherry.B &Nikolaus Pevsner"The Buildings of England" p430 London:4 North ISBN 0140710493 Retrieved April 11 2008]

Description of the centre

The airy South Mall leading north is sheltered by a translucent roof and lined with a mix of shops. Leading off is the library and offices on three floors which was converted from a former departmental store. In the library, memorial boards to local people, from the old Town Hall can be viewed. The Market Square is a covered area (originally open to the elements) lit by clerestory windows. The market stalls today are permanent fixtures. The big, bustling no-frills market is popular with shoppers with a good range of goods, particularly - greengrocery. The North Mall is treated differently, in the harder spirit of the late 1960s: a concrete coffered roof alternates with open light-wells, and ends in an open square , with two levels of shops and two stories of flats above; brutalistic, dark brick and shuttered concrete. The backdrop rising from the deck above North Mall is composed of huge slabs of system-built flats which the borough built so keenly at the time.

Regeneration

Edmonton Green area is currently being regenerated by St. Modwen Properties plc, who bought the property from the London Borough of Enfield in 1999. [ [http://www.stmodwen.co.uk/development/results/16/16/default/39 St. Modwen] Retrieved January 15 2008] Phase 1 was completed in 2007 and includes a Primary health care centre, 176 affordable residential units, a bus station, leisure centre, [ [http://www.enfieldleisurecentres.co.uk/html/1096.html Edmonton Leisure centre] Retrieved April 12 2008] new retail outlets and the refurbishment of the existing multi-storey car park. Demolition of the original 1970s leisure centre has been completed, that has enabled construction to commence of a new Asda supermarket, additional retail outlets and car parking. To be completed by autumn 2008.

Popular culture

* The video for the Lostprophets song Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja was filmed in a car park in Edmonton Green. [ [http://www.dragonninja.com/knowledge/faq/ The videos] Retrieved January 14 2008]
* The area was featured in an episode of 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. [ [http://www.hidden-london.com/edmontongreen.html Hidden-London: Frank Spencer in Edmonton] Retrieved January 14 2008] [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=lFLpwRMS00g&feature=related Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - Video] Retrieved April 10 2008]
* Local musical duo Chas & Dave recorded a song titled "Edmonton Green" lamenting the changes that have occurred there. [ [http://www.chasndave.com/disco_rockney.html Chas & Dave discography] Retrieved April 10 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.northlondon.org.uk/index.php/4/shopping/ Shopping in North London - Edmonton Green]
* [http://anidea.co.uk/lower-edmonton/local/thegreen/edgreen.html Edmonton Green Shopping Centre]
* [http://www.edmontongreencentre.co.uk St Modwen latest news]