Councillor welcomes new developers for Sheer House and highlights the need for a replacement chemist

Liberal Democrat councillor Graham Chrystie has welcomed news that a new developer has been found for Sheer House in West Byfleet.

Residents have been dismayed by the recent rapid decline of the area caused mainly by the loss of the Post Office on 30th March 2020. Now our key large Chemist and pharmacy is scheduled to close on 5th August. The closure will leave us with one small Chemist which is not open on Saturday. Last year another Chemist closed and the news of the loss in August of the excellent Boots has come as a body blow to the community. Our Health Centre is understood to dispense perhaps the highest number of prescriptions in Surrey and residents value the help from competent and helpful staff and our pharmacist.

Sheer House decay and the declining area around it have dragged down the area for some time now and our formerly vibrant village needs regeneration fast. Popular shops have closed and I am delighted that Retirement Villages have purchased the site and are keen to start work in the autumn. There is great potential for a really good development complimenting the village and I understand that the existing outline plans will likely form the basis of a revised Scheme.

I have urged the new developers to do their best to secure a new major Chemist as soon as possible and will continue my efforts to try to attract a new Chemist. The developers have informed me they are already at work on the issue. Attracting new retail tenants to an exciting new West Byfleet with a blend of shops should increase the footfall which should be enhanced by the tasteful and attractive Broadoaks development which seems to be progressing quickly.

I relish working with the new developers who seem keen to be keen to work with stakeholders to produce a fresh Sheer House and complimentary village centre , said Cllr Chrystie.

Please contact Cllr Chyrstie on 07774 860710 or email at Graham.Chrystie@wokinglibdems.org.uk