Eden, High Wycombe
Encyclopedia
Eden is a shopping and entertainment complex in High Wycombe
, Buckinghamshire in the south east of England
. With a floor area of 850000 square feet (78,967.6 m²), it is the 28th largest shopping centre in the United Kingdom and the largest in the surrounding area.
The centre includes 107 shops, a bowling alley, a cinema and a library (which opened on 3 June 2008), as well as parking for 1600 cars on site with Car Parking other car parks available nearby.
The complex is part of a major regeneration of High Wycombe in a bid to transform the town into a regional shopping destination. The complex includes a new bus station and 48 residential apartments. The shopping centre opened on 13 March 2008, the bus station opening earlier in July 2006.
Eden managed to attract one million visitors just fifteen days into opening and regularly attracts over 350,000 visitors per week.
contained two shopping centres, the Octagon Centre and the Chilterns Shopping Centre. The Octagon which opened in the 1970 was dated and was incorporated into the redevelopment.
High Wycombe has a population of 118,000 people and the town centre previously was not much of an attraction, with shops spread out of a large area. Moreover, the town was seen as being overshadowed by nearby towns with larger shopping centres (Slough
's Queensmere Observatory, Reading
's Oracle
, Uxbridge
's The Mall and The Chimes, Watford
's Harlequin Shopping Centre
and Milton Keynes
's Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre
(the only one larger than Eden itself).
A new shopping centre was agreed to rejuvenate the town and the name 'Eden' chosen and announced in June 2005. The new shopping centre would include a new bus station, library as well as entertainment in the form of a cinema and a bowling alley. 48 new apartments would also be built.
The site for the new complex was to be just south of Oxford Road, a dual carriageway section of the A40
on two flat car parks. The centre would also extend over the site of the old bus station and connect to the existing Octagon Centre, which would be re-named as the Eden Centre. The Tesco
store would remain in position throughout, a decision which has been criticised as the centre had to be built around the Tesco.
The Tesco building is considered by some to out of place, compared to the new, modern-looking buildings. Construction of the new centre begun in October 2005 and was to take about two and a half years. As well as the new building containing the new shopping centre, a new multi-storey car park was built to connect with the existing Newlands Car Park and the old part refurbished. The new bus station was built alongside the shopping centre, with direct access to the shops from the bus station. The old bus garage was viewed as dangerous at night with little lighting so the new station was welcomed. The new bus station opened in July 2006.
The actual opening ceremony involved a lone musician beginning in the high street, walking towards the new complex where he was joined by more musicians and dancers.
The opening ceremony was meant to represent the town's ethnic minorities and included lightly dressed dancers. Wycombe Islamic Society criticised the dress of some performers as being inappropriate.
The entertainment complex and library were both officially opened on 9 July 2008 by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
who unveiled a plaque in the library.
As well as the shops the new centre contains a 12 screen Cineworld
Cinema, a 22 lane AMF Bowling Centre, a 58,000 book library, up from 45,000 books held at the old library. The new library is step free.
Also constructed along with the centre were a modern 18 bay bus station, with a direct link to the shopping area and a cafe, a 1,500 space car park, which is an extension of the old car park which is located on top of the Tesco's. 48 new apartments were also built on the south side of the centre.
The shopping centre contains 107 shops, of which 54 were new to the town and 53 resited from elsewhere in the town. Notable stores include House of Fraser
, which is the largest store in the centre at four stories high, The second largest is a branch of Marks and Spencer which moved to the Eden Centre from the Chiltern Shopping Centre. The complex also includes eleven restaurants and cafés.
and the town centre, serving Eden as well as the railway station
and the hospital
. The service began on 5 September 2005 and operates every 15 minutes during the day for a £1.90 return fare off peak and £2.30 in the peak.
, located near the High Street, is operated by Chiltern Railways
with services to London Marylebone
, Aylesbury
railway station
and Birmingham Moor Street railway station
In recent years, the town centre of High Wycombe
has gradually been moving west and the High street is no longer the place for high-brand shops. The High Street still contains an Argos
and a McDonald's
amongst others so is still used by shoppers. The High Street is notable for containing many banks like HSBC
and Barclays Bank
and leading the way to the train station
so its usage should remain high.
moved to Eden. However, the managers of the centre were more optimistic. and in October 2004 it was announced that a major store would replace the Marks and Spencer. In February 2008 the store was confirmed to be Primark
, the new store opened on 1 October 2008. The centre also includes a large post office and a Wilkinsons
.
near the M40
has received competition from Eden, especially House of Fraser
but store bosses are confident that John Lewis's reputation will enable to attract customers.
has received many complaints about the design of the shopping centre, especially the fact that there is not a proper roof, resulting the centre being compared to a 'wind tunnel'. This is disputable, as the designers had to work their way around the existing Tesco
s. However general response to the centre is positive. with the centre remaining very busy as of June 2009.
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
, Buckinghamshire in the south east of England
South East England
South East England is one of the nine official regions of England, designated in 1994 and adopted for statistical purposes in 1999. It consists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex...
. With a floor area of 850000 square feet (78,967.6 m²), it is the 28th largest shopping centre in the United Kingdom and the largest in the surrounding area.
The centre includes 107 shops, a bowling alley, a cinema and a library (which opened on 3 June 2008), as well as parking for 1600 cars on site with Car Parking other car parks available nearby.
The complex is part of a major regeneration of High Wycombe in a bid to transform the town into a regional shopping destination. The complex includes a new bus station and 48 residential apartments. The shopping centre opened on 13 March 2008, the bus station opening earlier in July 2006.
Eden managed to attract one million visitors just fifteen days into opening and regularly attracts over 350,000 visitors per week.
History
Before Eden existed, the town centre of High WycombeHigh Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
contained two shopping centres, the Octagon Centre and the Chilterns Shopping Centre. The Octagon which opened in the 1970 was dated and was incorporated into the redevelopment.
High Wycombe has a population of 118,000 people and the town centre previously was not much of an attraction, with shops spread out of a large area. Moreover, the town was seen as being overshadowed by nearby towns with larger shopping centres (Slough
Slough
Slough is a borough and unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Royal Berkshire, England. The town straddles the A4 Bath Road and the Great Western Main Line, west of central London...
's Queensmere Observatory, Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
's Oracle
The Oracle, Reading
The Oracle is a large indoor shopping and leisure mall, located on the banks of the River Kennet on the site of a 17th century workhouse of the same name in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire...
, Uxbridge
Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a large town located in north west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres...
's The Mall and The Chimes, Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
's Harlequin Shopping Centre
Harlequin Shopping Centre
The Harlequin Centre, in the centre of Watford, is the biggest shopping centre in Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom, and is visited by over 17 million customers each year...
and Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
's Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre
Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre
Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre is a regional shopping centre located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England which is about 50 miles north-west of London. It is managed in two separate parts, thecentre:mk and Midsummer Place...
(the only one larger than Eden itself).
A new shopping centre was agreed to rejuvenate the town and the name 'Eden' chosen and announced in June 2005. The new shopping centre would include a new bus station, library as well as entertainment in the form of a cinema and a bowling alley. 48 new apartments would also be built.
Site
A40 road
The A40 is a major trunk road connecting London to Fishguard, Wales and officially called The London to Fishguard Trunk Road in all legal documents and Acts...
on two flat car parks. The centre would also extend over the site of the old bus station and connect to the existing Octagon Centre, which would be re-named as the Eden Centre. The Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
store would remain in position throughout, a decision which has been criticised as the centre had to be built around the Tesco.
The Tesco building is considered by some to out of place, compared to the new, modern-looking buildings. Construction of the new centre begun in October 2005 and was to take about two and a half years. As well as the new building containing the new shopping centre, a new multi-storey car park was built to connect with the existing Newlands Car Park and the old part refurbished. The new bus station was built alongside the shopping centre, with direct access to the shops from the bus station. The old bus garage was viewed as dangerous at night with little lighting so the new station was welcomed. The new bus station opened in July 2006.
Opening
Eden officially opened on 13 March 2008. Free rides on a large ferris wheel named the Wycombe Eye and carnival style celebrations were major parts of the opening ceremony.The actual opening ceremony involved a lone musician beginning in the high street, walking towards the new complex where he was joined by more musicians and dancers.
The opening ceremony was meant to represent the town's ethnic minorities and included lightly dressed dancers. Wycombe Islamic Society criticised the dress of some performers as being inappropriate.
The entertainment complex and library were both officially opened on 9 July 2008 by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
who unveiled a plaque in the library.
Centre features
Cineworld
Cineworld Group plc is a cinema chain operating in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Jersey. The chain consists of 78 cinemas; 76 of which are located in the UK and one each in Ireland and Jersey. It is the second-largest cinema operator in the UK with 801 screens, and the owner of...
Cinema, a 22 lane AMF Bowling Centre, a 58,000 book library, up from 45,000 books held at the old library. The new library is step free.
Also constructed along with the centre were a modern 18 bay bus station, with a direct link to the shopping area and a cafe, a 1,500 space car park, which is an extension of the old car park which is located on top of the Tesco's. 48 new apartments were also built on the south side of the centre.
The shopping centre contains 107 shops, of which 54 were new to the town and 53 resited from elsewhere in the town. Notable stores include House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
, which is the largest store in the centre at four stories high, The second largest is a branch of Marks and Spencer which moved to the Eden Centre from the Chiltern Shopping Centre. The complex also includes eleven restaurants and cafés.
Park and Ride
A park and ride operates services between a large car park near junction 4 of the M40 motorwayM40 motorway
The M40 motorway is a motorway in the British transport network that forms a major part of the connection between London and Birmingham. Part of this road forms a section of the unsigned European route E05...
and the town centre, serving Eden as well as the railway station
High Wycombe railway station
High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire. The station is served by Chiltern Railways trains on the Chiltern Main Line from Marylebone towards Birmingham Snow Hill. It is situated between Beaconsfield and Saunderton stations.-History:The station was built...
and the hospital
Wycombe General Hospital
Wycombe General Hospital is located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It is one of three hospitals in the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, the other two being Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Amersham Hospital....
. The service began on 5 September 2005 and operates every 15 minutes during the day for a £1.90 return fare off peak and £2.30 in the peak.
Rail
High Wycombe railway stationHigh Wycombe railway station
High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire. The station is served by Chiltern Railways trains on the Chiltern Main Line from Marylebone towards Birmingham Snow Hill. It is situated between Beaconsfield and Saunderton stations.-History:The station was built...
, located near the High Street, is operated by Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways is a British train operating company. It was set up at the privatisation of British Rail in 1996, and operates local passenger trains from Marylebone station in London to Aylesbury and main-line trains on the Chiltern Main Line to Birmingham Snow Hill with its associated branches...
with services to London Marylebone
Marylebone station
Marylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
, Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
railway station
Aylesbury railway station
Aylesbury railway station is a railway station in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England and is a major stop on the London to Aylesbury Line from Marylebone station via Amersham. It is 37.75 miles from Aylesbury Station to Marylebone Station...
and Birmingham Moor Street railway station
Birmingham Moor Street railway station
Birmingham Moor Street railway station is one of three main railway stations in the city centre of Birmingham, England. The Grade II listed old station building has been partially renovated to its 1930s condition at a cost of £11 million....
High Street
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
has gradually been moving west and the High street is no longer the place for high-brand shops. The High Street still contains an Argos
Argos (retailer)
Argos is the largest general-goods retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland with over 800 stores. It is unique amongst major retailers in the UK in that it is a catalogue merchant...
and a McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
amongst others so is still used by shoppers. The High Street is notable for containing many banks like HSBC
HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
and Barclays Bank
Barclays plc
Barclays PLC is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. As of 2010 it was the world's 10th-largest banking and financial services group and 21st-largest company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
and leading the way to the train station
High Wycombe railway station
High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire. The station is served by Chiltern Railways trains on the Chiltern Main Line from Marylebone towards Birmingham Snow Hill. It is situated between Beaconsfield and Saunderton stations.-History:The station was built...
so its usage should remain high.
The Chilterns Shopping Centre
The shopping centre is really a covered thoroughfare with shops on either side. With the opening of the Eden Centre, there was fear that business would be pulled away from the centre, as shops such as Marks and Spencer and WallisWallis (retailer)
Wallis is a British women's clothing retailer. The brand operates from 134 stores and 126 concessions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Wallis is a subsidiary of the Arcadia Group and one of the many companies under ownership of Philip Green, a British retailing icon.-History:The first store...
moved to Eden. However, the managers of the centre were more optimistic. and in October 2004 it was announced that a major store would replace the Marks and Spencer. In February 2008 the store was confirmed to be Primark
Primark
Primark is a clothing retailer, operating over 223 stores in Ireland , the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Belgium...
, the new store opened on 1 October 2008. The centre also includes a large post office and a Wilkinsons
Wilkinson (shop)
Wilkinson or Wilko is a British high-street discount chain with over 300 stores, selling primarily homewares and household goods.Founded in 1930 Wilkinson Cash Stores by James Kemsey Wilkinson, the company has remained largely in the hands of the founding family since...
.
Elsewhere
The large out-of-town John LewisJohn Lewis (department store)
-Recent developments:In June 2004, John Lewis announced plans to open its first store in Northern Ireland at the Sprucefield Park development, the province's largest out of town shopping centre, located outside Lisburn and from Belfast. The application was approved in June 2005 and the opening of...
near the M40
M40 motorway
The M40 motorway is a motorway in the British transport network that forms a major part of the connection between London and Birmingham. Part of this road forms a section of the unsigned European route E05...
has received competition from Eden, especially House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
but store bosses are confident that John Lewis's reputation will enable to attract customers.
Time capsule
In November 2007, a 'time capsule' was buried underneath part of the shopping centre. Various items were placed in the capsule, which is not expected to be dug up for fifty years.Public opinion
The Local Newspaper The Bucks Free PressBucks Free Press
The Bucks Free Press is a weekly local newspaper, published every Friday and covering the area surrounding High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It was first published on 19 December 1856. Despite its title, it covers local news for the High Wycombe region only.The paper covers local news,...
has received many complaints about the design of the shopping centre, especially the fact that there is not a proper roof, resulting the centre being compared to a 'wind tunnel'. This is disputable, as the designers had to work their way around the existing Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
s. However general response to the centre is positive. with the centre remaining very busy as of June 2009.
External links
- Eden – Official Site
- Eden High Wycombe – Additional information
- Store guide with map of town centre
- My Wycombe – focusing on the wider regeneration of High Wycombe
- High Wycombe Park & Ride