The transformation of Croydon’s former Allders store has received approval, marking a significant milestone for the local community.
- Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) plans to repurpose the historic Allders building into seven new retail and dining spaces.
- The initiative is expected to rejuvenate the prominent North End area in Croydon.
- This development aligns with a series of cultural and commercial activities energising Croydon this past summer.
- Local leaders and developers express enthusiasm, emphasising the project’s importance for cultural heritage preservation and community engagement.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has secured planning consent from Croydon Council to remodel the historic Allders building into seven new commercial spaces. The project includes five retail units ranging from 450 to 1,300 square feet and two food and beverage outlets each at 450 square feet. This plan signifies the first phase in revitalising this iconic site.
Founded in 1862, Allders was a long-standing department store until it succumbed to administration in 2013. The Croydon location subsequently served as the Croydon Village Outlet, ceasing operations in 2019, and has remained unoccupied since. The refurbishment aims to breathe new life into the structure while preserving its renowned history.
In conjunction with the store’s transformation, Croydon has hosted various events to drive local engagement. Notably, ‘Costa Del Croydon,’ a rooftop beach installation at Centrale shopping centre, attracted over 30,000 attendees in August alone. Penny Cameron, URW’s head of development, expressed her views stating, “This is the first step of many in our plan to revive this much-loved Croydon landmark, bringing Allders back into use as a space the community can enjoy, while preserving its heritage.”
Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, underscored the project’s value to the North End area, which is central to broader town centre regeneration efforts. He remarked, “We welcome these plans from URW to revitalise the North End area as part of the wider regeneration of our town centre. We know how much the landmark Allders building means to our residents and businesses and these plans will help to restore a sense of place and pride in our historic town centre.”
This redevelopment is expected to provide significant cultural and economic benefits, fostering local pride and ensuring the heritage site remains a vital part of Croydon’s landscape.
The redevelopment of Croydon’s former Allders store symbolises a pivotal step towards revitalising the area while honouring its historic significance.
