Business as usual is the confident message from Brentwood's shop managers faced with new competition from Romford's £120million Brewery Shopping Centre which opened this week.

The centre boast as one of the largest Sainsbury's in the UK, a 16 screen Ster Cinema and Romford's first GAP store.

But Brentwood managers believe their customers will stay loyal to the High Street and its market like atmosphere. Karen Atkinson who is manager at Ottakars said: "I don't think The Brewery will affect us at all.

"The atmosphere in Brentwood is similar to that of a market town and I believe that our customers enjoy this and will continue to come here for that."

The store manager at Next, James Lawrence echoed these comments. He said: "One of the big things that Brentwood has going for it is that the town centre is outdoors. The High Street blossoms in the summer period and I cannot see this being affected by The Brewery."

Kevin Robins, who is store manager at Clement Joscelyne, said: "With so many other shopping centres nearby, like Lakeside, Blue Water and the Meadows in Chelmsford I do not think that one more will make that much difference to us or the rest of the High Street." Senior Duty Manager at Sainsbury's Steve Swann said: "I think it would be foolish to say The Brewery will not have any impact.

"But although some of our customers come from other towns I think they will stay loyal and continue to shop with us."

Chairman of Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Dorothy Denton said: "But I am very confident that this will have no long term-effect on Brentwood."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.