Chris Huhne

New Centre Already A Success In Bringing Custom – Huhne

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has unveiled a public art installation in the Swan Centre’s new extension and declared the leisure facility a great success.

At a celebration of the new Swan Centre extension, Mr Huhne cut the ribbon on an installation called “Just passing through” by Alex Hoare.

He joined developer Malcolm Wilcox of Cordwell, Cllr Peter Wall, and others who contributed to the new scheme.

The installation is a succession of stained-glass discs lit from behind, and accompanied by different sounds that customers can hear as they move from the old to the new parts of the centre.

Mr Huhne said that the proof of the impact that the new bowling and cinema could have was that the number of people visiting the centre had risen by 11 per cent over the year to February even before the cinema was fully open.

“When so many town centres are showing a sharp decline in customers and spending, it is brilliant that the new Swan Centre extension is performing exactly as it was hoped by bringing in new customers” said Mr Huhne.

Mr Huhne highlighted the difficulties faced by all traditional town centres in competing with the big superstores. “ASDA at Chandler’s Ford can add the equivalent floorspace of 60 town centre shops, so change is inevitable” he said.

“This marvellous new Vue cinema, AMF Bowling and Frankie and Benny’s restaurant will bring families into the town centre to eat and drink and therefore help fill the gap left by old-style retailers” said Mr Huhne.