How I met Roger the Parrot and found out that our local high streets are bouncing back for Christmas

Our high streets are changing but that does not mean they are less busy.

There were 20,000 more visitors in Sutton Town Centre in August this year compared to just before the pandemic in August 2019. The occupancy rate on all of our borough’s high streets is an impressive 93%. This compares with an average in Greater London of 90% and across the UK it is only 86%. When this data was collected in August, Cheam Village had only eight empty units out of 119 shops and Carshalton High Street had just one empty unit.   

I spent some time on Wednesday in Central Road, Worcester Park. I grew up here and went to Cheam Common Infant & Junior School. It’s great to see that Jolley’s, a sweet shop we’d visit after school, is still there, albeit under different ownership (it was nearly 60 years ago after all!). Fuelled by The Little Coffee Club in Stone Place, I called into Pet’s Place and spoke to the owner about the challenges and changes he has seen in running a business in Worcester Park for 30 years - but he is still looking to the future. I also introduced myself to Roger the Parrot, a local icon, who told me he was 54 years young! I popped into Power Cycles, a great bike shop, and talked to the mechanics there. Over the road, I said hello to Graham Lee Carpets, a family business with over 50 years of heritage in the borough. I am happy to report that nearly every room in my house has carpets fitted by Graham Lee. 

I ran a small travel business in Sutton. I know the challenges high street businesses face and how important they are to our local economy. I would be delighted to meet with more local businesses across the borough  in 2025.

Worcester Park has changed from when I was a child. There are more coffee shops, restaurants and service businesses and it is the same across Sutton - and indeed every high street in the country. We are doing up to one third of our shopping online and this is putting a strain on traditional high street shops. But this means there are plenty of bargains and present-buying opportunities to be had in our local shops.

I’ve still got some last minute Christmas shopping to do and I won’t be doing it online. Spoiler alert to my family - it's probably books again. But you never know: I might surprise you! If you’re stuck for ideas there are charity shops, book shops, large stores, bike shops or perhaps, instead of a traditional present, take a friend or family member out for tea and cake in one of the borough’s many independent cafes. Or perhaps drop in for a film at one of Sutton’s two excellent cinemas or maybe tickets for pantomime (Sleeping Beauty) at Cryer Arts in Carshalton.

As a Council, we want to help our local businesses to thrive. Our innovative Green Enterprise Partnership scheme encourages local businesses to be more sustainable, with the incentive of reducing their business rates. We have had a really good take- up in the first two rounds of this scheme and there will be another opportunity to take part in this scheme in the near future. 

I’d like to finish off by wishing all those that live and work in the borough a very merry Christmas. Thank you to those of you that are working over the festive period, especially our emergency services and doctors, nurses and medical staff. Thank you to all those that are keeping essential services and utilities running not only at Christmas but also throughout the year.

Merry Christmas everybody and here’s to a peaceful and prosperous 2025.