A NEW shopping centre is luring more shoppers to the High Street despite fears it would do the opposite, according to traders.

Retailers in Orpington High Street say the Nugent Retail Park, Cray Avenue, has not threatened their profits, as previously feared.

Prior to the April opening of the 120,000sq ft centre, former Liberal Democrat councillor Jenny Powell expressed concerns of the High Street becoming a "retail desert".

Cllr Powell said: "We have waited years for big names to come to Orpington.

"The trouble is these stores won't be coming to Orpington High Street. They will be drawing trade away from the town centre."

But since it opened, many traders say they feel the centre has encouraged shoppers to come to Orpington rather than Bromley.

Sharon Delves, store manager of Peacocks in the High Street, said: "I certainly have not noticed a decline, although I was waiting for it. If anything, I think it has brought business to the area.

"With these new retailers people don't have to go as far.

"Let's hope it's an ongoing thing."

Pauline Rumbold, of Dorothy Perkins, also on the High Street, said: "Competition is good for the town as it brings more people here."

Orpington town centre manager Cheryl Kurr said: "At the moment the High Street continues to offer a wide range of goods and services which complement the new stores at the Nugent retail park.

"Due to the commercially sensitive nature of trading figures we can't release them for specific shops.

"But managers of several High Street stores have reported footfall increases of up to 20,000 compared to the same period last year and overall spending is also up.

"This leaves no doubt more shoppers are coming to Orpington as a whole."

Portfolio holder for the local economy Councillor Colin Bloom said: "Our aim is to improve the experience from visitors to all our town centres.

"Research has told us what people do and do not like about Oprington and we are talking to retailers to agree how we can make the town more attractive."

Jim Harris, manager of the Nugent Retail Park said: "We like to think we are working with our colleagues in bringing business to Orpington."