UK shopping centre closure is branded a ‘disaster’ as glass ceiling collapse sparks chaos for retailers

NEWS that a popular UK shopping centre will be closed for another week has been branded a “disaster” by a business owner operating within the space. Swan Walk Shopping Centre in Horsham, West Sussex, extended its closure after a part of the building’s ceiling collapsed. Swan Walk Shopping Centre in Sussex will stay shut for another week after a safety incident Credit: Alamy It has been shut since July 12 after a glass ceiling panel fell down inside the centre and is not expected to reopen until July 27 at the earliest. A frustrated business owner, who operates in one of the shops, has now spoken out after it was discovered the reopening would be delayed. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Drew Dewsall, owner of Gobsmack Comics in the centre told the BBC, it has been “a disaster” for him. He told BBC Radio Sussex: “To be shut for the best part of two weeks at the start of the summer holidays is a really bad time for us. “The outgoings aren’t going to stop. It is going to be tough, especially when payday comes around.” A spokesperson for the shopping centre’s landlords told the BBC it will reopen “as soon as it is safe to do so”. The incident caused no injuries but forced the building to shutdown for health and safety investigations. Horsham District Council allowed affected small businesses to trade at local markets this weekend due to the closure. Most read in Money Marks and Spencer and Boots are currently the only stores open, with M&S installing a temporary protective structure at its entrance to let shoppers return safely. Customers requiring prescriptions from Superdrug Pharmacy have also been told they can arrange a collection from the rear of the store, with Swan Walk Car Park still staying open. Swan Walk said on its website: “We are exploring similar safe solutions and other options that could be extended across the centre. “We will proceed with whichever option allows the quickest and safest reopening for the remainder of the centre.” Comment now