Gillingham Town Centre is a principal shopping and commercial area[2] in Gillingham, a town within the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, England.[3] Historically, it has functioned as a local centre for trade, retail,[2] and civic activity.[4]
Gillingham High Street developed as the principal commercial street in the town, aided by its proximity to the River Medway. In the 14th century, Gillingham was granted a charter permitting a weekly market, and the street subsequently became a site for trade and commerce. The town's location near Chatham Dockyard contributed to its growth during the 16th and 17th centuries, with economic activity influenced by naval and maritime industries.
19th and Early 20th century
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the High Street expanded in response to population growth and industrial activity in the surrounding area. A range of retail outlets, public houses, and service businesses operated along the street. The opening of Gillingham railway station in 1858[5] improved connectivity and supported commercial development.
Mid-20th century
By the mid-20th century, the High Street included several national retailers, including Marks & Spencer,[6] LeFevre's,[7] Littlewoods,[8] and Woolworths.[9] These businesses were part of a broader national retail landscape and contributed to the street's role in the town's economy. However, from the 1960s onwards, emerging trends such as the growth of suburban shopping centres began to impact traditional retail streets.
Late 20th century and decline
From the 1970s, Gillingham High Street experienced reduced footfall, influenced by the development of out-of-town retail centres such as Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, which opened in 1978. Efforts to pedestrianise parts of the street were implemented, but several long-established retailers including Marks & Spencer and LeFevre's closed during this period. These changes reflected broader shifts in retail and consumer behaviour.
21st century
In the 21st century, Gillingham High Street continued to face challenges,[10] including competition from online retailers, changing consumer patterns, and ongoing economic pressures.[11] Many national chain stores closed,[12][13][14] and some premises became vacant.[15][16] While a number of independent businesses have remained, investment in the street has been limited. Concerns over crime[17] and anti-social behaviour have also affected perceptions of the area.[18][19]
Minor improvements have been made to the streetscape and pedestrian infrastructure, though no large-scale regeneration has taken place. The High Street remains subject to wider economic and social trends affecting many similar town centres in the United Kingdom.
Notable businesses
Boyce's Bakery sits on the western end on the High Street, next to Britton Farm Mall.
Over the years, several well-known businesses have operated along the High Street, including:
Marks & Spencer: A significant retailer that was once a staple of the area.[20]
Woolworths: A variety store that operated for many years.[21]
Littlewoods: A department store offering a wide range of products, a major presence before its closure.[22]
The Co-op Department Store: A long-standing provider of a range of goods.[23]
Clarks Bakery: A local bakery with a strong presence in the area.
The Ritzy Nightclub: Known by several names, including The Pavilion,[24] Joanna's, and MooMoo,[25] this nightclub was a fixture of Gillingham's nightlife scene until its closure in 2019 and demolition in 2023.[24]
The Gillingham Conservative Club: Opened on 7 June 1994 and still operating as a social venue for local members.
WHSmith: Opened on 6 July 1989 and closed on 8 January 2022.[26][27]
Superdrug: Opened on 3 October 1994 and closed on 10 June 2022.[28]
J C Rook & Sons: Opened on 28 July 2006 and closed on 25 July 2022 after the company went into administration.[29]
F Hinds Jewellers: Opened on 2 August 1989 and closed on 11 May 2023.
McDonald's: The McDonald's restaurant located on Gillingham High Street closed permanently on 31 July 2018.[30] Prior to its closure, the outlet had implemented a policy banning individuals under the age of 21 from dining inside after 3pm, due to incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area. This measure was part of McDonald's efforts to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all customers and staff.[31] Despite being a popular outlet, McDonald's decided to close the location, with staff being offered relocation to nearby stores.[30] The closure left a significant gap in the High Street, as the store was a popular and heavily frequented location that attracted both local customers and passersby. This has led to concerns about what might replace it and how it impacts the area's foot traffic, particularly with other shops along the High Street benefitting from the business it generated.
Love gillingham campaign
Love Gillingham, launched in 2024, is a community regeneration initiative coordinated by Medway Council and supported by Naushabah Khan, the Member of Parliament for Gillingham and Rainham, aimed at revitalising the town centre through community engagement, economic development, and public space improvements,[32] addressing challenges such as vacant retail units (6.2% vacancy rate compared to a 16% national average), cleanliness, and safety concerns.[33] The Gillingham Taskforce, established by Khan in 2024, includes Medway Council, Kent Police, and Medway Norse, focusing on issues like waste management (91 littering fines issued from July 2024 to January 2025), green spaces, housing, and business investment, with a community clean-up planned for spring 2025.[34] The Gillingham Community Panel, facilitated by Design South-East and BPTW, involved 40 residents and business owners in workshops from November 2024 to February 2025, concluding on 1 February 2025, to inform the Gillingham Town Centre Action Plan, expected for public consultation in 2025.[35] The "Big Day Out" event in September 2024,[34] attended by over 2,500 people,[36] is set to return on 20 July 2025 alongside the Medway Mile on 18 July 2025,[37] featuring performances and stalls. Gillingham Community Hub and Library,[38][39] opened in 1902 and Medway's busiest library, offers council services, printing, scanning, and Wi-Fi, with plans for a dedicated initiative-related section.[37] Local businesses like Journey's Made, which received £14,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund and a green growth grant in 2024, and Unravel and Unwind, a community interest company active in the Community Panel, are supported, alongside efforts to repurpose vacant units. The Truro Manor project, led by Medway Development Company, will deliver 44 affordable rental flats by spring 2025 through Medway's Homechoice system.[40][41] Public safety measures include enforcing a ban on private e-scooter use in public spaces like Gillingham High Street, with Medway opting out of national e-scooter trials.[37] Additional funding includes £14,000 for the Celebrating St Alban's project and £5,000 for a Gillingham Design Code feasibility study.[37] The initiative engages residents via a newsletter, Medway Council's website, social media, with Khan managing nearly 2,000 constituent cases since 2024 and holding monthly drop-in surgeries.[42]
Open lines project
The Gillingham Open Lines Project is a proposed regeneration scheme developed by Medway Council in collaboration with Peel L&P, submitted in 2022 as part of a bid for nearly £20million in funding through Round 2 of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund.[43] The project proposes the creation of a 1.4-kilometre pedestrian and cycle route, referred to as "The Greenway"[44] along the disused Gillingham to Chatham Dockyard Railway Link[45] in Gillingham, Kent.[46]
The greenway is intended to improve connections between Gillingham Waterfront and Gillingham town centre, linking key sites such as Chatham Waters, the University Technical College (UTC), and local university campuses.[44] In addition to the main route, the wider proposals include improvements to Railway Street, enhancements to Gillingham High Street, including landscaping, new cycle infrastructure, and upgraded public spaces,[47] and the development of a green skills hub focused on training in engineering, construction, and manufacturing.[48]
As part of the project's development, a public consultation was held between 30 May and 10 June 2022, involving five public engagement events and a workshop at Burnt Oak Primary School. The consultation received 192 responses, with 84% of respondents stating they would be more likely to walk or cycle using traffic-free routes, and 90% indicating they would use the proposed greenway. In response to concerns raised during consultation, including safety and accessibility, the proposals were updated to include CCTV coverage, improved lighting, and child-friendly infrastructure, such as play areas and safer routes to schools.[49]
According to Medway Council, the aims of the project include improving local connectivity, supporting economic growth, enhancing air quality, and promoting sustainable travel across the area. As of mid 2025, the outcome of the funding application had not yet been announced.
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