A survey of shopping centres has revealed that Ealing Broadway has slipped a little against its rivals in the capital.

The report, by retail experts Experian, showed that Ealing is now the ninth best shopping centre in London compared with eighth in 1998.

But, the survey which measured only a narrow range of factors has been dismissed by business leaders in the borough.

Jane Hickie of the Town Centre Form stressed that the Nottingham-based company does not assess transport links, environment or a range of other factors which can make a shopping centre particularly attractive.

Experian admits that its report only looked at the size of retail floorspace, vacant units and the presence of major retailers.

She said: 'Ealing town centre is much more than simply a place to shop.

'This year we will be supporting the Ealing Summer Festival and the jazz festival in Walpole Park. The centre also boasts a fine church and other valuable facilities.'

The Forum, which was set up in 1998, is currently assessing the 2,500 replies it received to the survey it circulated on the area's future earlier this year.

A number of respondents said they wanted to see improvements to the forecourt of Ealing Broadway Tube station and the Forum is working with Railtrack, London Underground and others to put together proposals for that.

A three-year business plan is also being prepared which will point the way for the area's immediate future.

The Ealing Broadway shopping centre which dominates the area has events including a Half Term promotion a series of summer concerts to keep visitors returning.

Unsurprisingly, the capital's West End came out as the top shopping venue in London and the rest of the country, although provincial centres such as Glasgow and Nottingham were improving.

Bromley, Kingston-upon-Thames, Croydon and Sutton completed London's top five.

And neighbouring Harrow also showed well, although it also slipped one place to seventh.