Kingston is the best place to shop in Greater London, after the West End, according to a major survey of Britain's shopping centres.

The study by Experian rated Kingston 14th in the country, based on a "vitality score" which included size, vacancies, number of multiple and comparison retailers and presence of major high street retailers.

But Bromley which scored 233, was just one point behind Kingston, and Croydon is also snapping at its heels with a score of 229.

Attractive

Julie Grail, Kingston town centre manager, welcomed the result and said the campaign to improve customer care should make it even more attractive to shoppers.

She said: "It is excellent news for us that Kingston is being recognised again as a major shopping destination.

"In a recent customer survey undertaken in Kingston, only one per cent of respondents identified a town centre they preferred other than Kingston. This latest survey confirms our success."

Last week she organised a conference for those involved in town centre management across the South of England which focused on the Kingston experience.

One of the key messages was that retailers need to work together as well as compete.

She said: "If your neighbours have short opening hours or poor quality window displays then you are going to suffer."

As town centre manager she is actively promoting a "total quality" approach which embraces everything from car parking and shop mobility to toilets, and everyone from serious shoppers to tourists, office workers and children.

She explained: "Kingston is a very strong retail centre in terms of quantity. We are now building on the quality."

The message is taken seriously on Kingston's shopping streets, already 40 staff have taken part in a training package organised by Miss Grail.

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