A bid for further funding for Sutton’s controversial town centre has been snubbed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, after the debacle over the previous improvement scheme.

Sutton submitted a £1.59m bid to the Mayor’s Outer London Fund for improvements to the town centre, including a totem pole style sign outside the station, and a permanent stage rigging on Trinity Square.

The bid was turned down by the Mayor’s office, although close to £2m has been released for other projects in North Cheam, Worcester Park and Hackbridge.

Mr Johnson’s colleague at City Hall, Sutton and Croydon London Assembly member Steve O’Connell, said he understood mismanagement of the previous High Street improvement had influenced the release of funding.

He said: “Sutton Council has gained such a reputation for project management from the High Street disaster, there is no doubt the mayor has lost a bit of confidence in the council.

He said: “It doesn’t take a genius to see it would have affected this most recent bid.”

The recent Sutton High Street redevelopment was dogged by a litany of errors, oversights and mismanagement, resulting in an additional £300,000 bill for taxpayers.

An internal report exposed how Sutton Council failed to oversee the project, lost records including £202,000-worth of consultancy work and ignored access concerns from disability groups.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Sutton Council’s executive member for economic development, said: “If the mayor had been unhappy with Sutton, we wouldn’t have got any funding. Although we are disappointed the High Street improve- ments have not been funded at this time, there was tough competition for funds and to get two out of three bids is pleasing.”

Match funding for the projects from Sutton Council is £3,215,474.

£1.3m funding in Hackbridge for projects include shop front improvements, business support and the creation of a sustainable supermarket, as well as improved access to the High Street and the Wandle Valley Regional Park.

In North Cheam and Worcestor Park, a £1.9m investment will go towards public realm improvements, a new pedestrian scheme and a temporary art installation at Victoria House, and shop front grants for existing traders.

The Victoria Housing Corner will also be developed with a market, cafe or kiosks.