Develop Croydon’s Chair has described the announcement of a new four-storey John Lewis / Waitrose centrepiece of the new £1.4bn Westfield / Hammerson retail development as ‘a major step forward’ for the borough.
Richard Plant, who is also Partner for property consultant SHW – sees the news as final, tangible confirmation of the scheme’s imminent start, more than five years after the January 2013 signing of a joint venture to redevelop the Whitgift Centre, built between 1968 and 1970.
The 165,000 sq ft store – to commence construction next year – will be one of 300 new retail units as well as 1,000 homes, the latest facet in fashioning Croydon into the jewel of South London.
Richard Plant said: “This is a major step forward in the regeneration of Croydon. Everybody is asking when will it start and now this news makes it all possible.
“Our retail team have been working hard moving tenants around to get ready but now it’s really starting.”
Nigel Evans, Retail Partner for SHW said: Nigel Evans, Retail Partner for SHW said: “With the Whitgift Centre likely to stop trading in the first half of 2019 we anticipate demand for town centre units will increase as tenants seek to relocate from The Whitgift Centre. Demand for areas such as George Street, where our clients own a large number of units, will be substantial and I urge tenants seeking to relocate to commence their search as soon as possible so they do not miss the opportunities that currently exist.”
