Work Starts to Remove Escalators in White Lion Walk

Published on: 8 Apr, 2022
Updated on: 10 Apr, 2022

By Hugh Coakley

Work has started to remove the escalators from the atrium as part of an £8 million refurbishment of White Lion Walk in Guildford’s town centre.

Illustrative view looking through White Lion Walk once the refurbishment is complete in December 2022.

The upgrade to the shopping mall, opened in 1987, is on target to be completed in December this year after the 11-month refit. The centre will remain open during construction.

Plans also include new shop fronts to the retail units on the ground floor and offices on the upper floor with access from the former H Samuels shop on North Street.

Hoardings up in White Lion Walk to allow the escalators to be removed safely.

Most traders spoken to by The Dragon said the works were not affecting their trade with one shop owner saying it will be a “big improvement when it’s done”.

But another quipped: “I’m not complaining but it’s hideous. The hoardings have turned it into a wind tunnel. But it needs updating so what’s the alternative.”