The days before Christmas are synonymous for many with bustling high streets, full of people buying last minute gifts.
Sadly for the Riverside Shopping Centre, in Evesham, Worcestershire, such times are very much a thing of the past.
The once buzzing centre, which opened in 1988, now only has three businesses left – Home Bargains, a small mobile phone shop and a cafe. The remaining 40 or so units sit empty.
The MailOnline paid a visit last week and found the centre almost deserted, with only a trickle of shoppers visiting, despite Christmas day around the corner.
One area was cordoned off and buckets strategically placed under a glass dome roof to catch leaks when it rains.
There was Union Jack bunting on display but no-one could quite remember which Jubilee it went up for.
A novelty clock featuring a Swan blowing bubbles no longer worked.
Outside a faded sign from busier times read: ‘Menswear, Food, Children, Footwear, Health & Beauty, Sports & Outdoors, Café, Womenswear, Confectionary, Homewares, Gifts & Accessories, Fashion, Music & Electrical, Variety.’
But anyone hoping to find many of the products listed inside would be sorely disappointed.
Sheron Annis, 76, who had just visited Home Bargains, told the MailOnline: ‘I’ve lived in Evesham for 72 years and it’s very, very sad. This place is an absolute disaster.’
She said you can’t use the toilets anymore as they’re locked up.
‘It’s been bad for years,’ added Sheron. ‘My granddaughter is 12 now but when she was younger she used to say, ‘Can we go to the Centre to count the buckets’.
Sarah, 57, who was at the centre with her friend Louise, 71, said they were just cutting through.
‘I don’t want to hang around here.’
She added: ‘Years ago it was bustling. All the units were full. There was a Next, a Dorothy Perkins, a Woolworths, a bakery.’
Margaret Holley, 85, who was having a drink in the cafe, said the shopping centre – which sits next to a 16th Century bell tower – was a disgrace and shows Evesham up.
Meanwhile, Shirley Douse, 86, who was meeting her children for a coffee, said there used to be a fountain in the cordoned off area and now there’s a fountain of leaks from the ceiling.
One local said poor parking facilities and a pedestrian crossing that caused gridlock were in part to blame for the centre’s demise.
The Riverside Centre is owned by PJK Investments, which is said to be in talks with the local council about future plans.
In a statement, Cllr Chris Day, leader of Wychavon District Council, said the council had a ‘strategic commitment’ to redevelop the centre – with a view to demolishing the current building – and that progress was being made on that promise.
He said that there were still a number of hurdles to get over before a deal could be reached, especially as the centre is in a conservation area.
The Metro has contacted the council.
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