Croydon’s North End is set to benefit from a series of improvements as part of a £6 million package that Croydon Council is expected to agree with developers Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW).
The proposed changes will focus on enhancing safety, security, and cleanliness in the area, which includes replacing the Wellesley Road subway with a new surface-level crossing. In addition, there will be a range of cultural events, and parts of the historic Allders building - which closed under Labour - will be brought back into use, offering new shops and food outlets.
Regenerating the town centre is a key priority for Executive Mayor Jason Perry, as outlined in his Business Plan. Mayor Perry has been working closely with URW to push forward the redevelopment of the Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres, alongside securing much-needed improvements for residents, workers, and visitors to the area.
The details of this £6m package are outlined in a paper going to Cabinet on Wednesday 25th September. The measures, which will be delivered through a combination of development activities and funding payments to the council, are aimed at compensating for the delays in the planned shopping centre redevelopment.
This funding is expected to provide a significant boost to local businesses, including shops and restaurants, and the cultural events will build on the success of Croydon’s time as London Borough of Culture.
Key areas of focus include:
- North End activities: Pop-ups, installations, and performances to create a dynamic shopping and leisure experience, helping to reduce antisocial behaviour.
- Allders: Revitalising sections of the iconic department store with new shops and food offers for the community on the ground floor.
- Safety, security, and cleaning: Initiatives aimed at reducing crime and improving the cleanliness of the area.
- Public engagement: The leasing of space in the Whitgift Centre to Croydon Urban Room, a hub for exhibitions and events about the town centre’s regeneration.
- Connectivity: Designing and building a level crossing on Wellesley Road, near Lansdowne Road, and closing the subway.
URW is currently developing a masterplan for the land it owns in the town centre, which is expected to include a variety of uses, from retail and leisure to new homes. A major planning application is anticipated soon.
The council has been working with residents, businesses, and community groups to develop a comprehensive regeneration strategy for the town centre. A series of events have been held over the past year, with more planned for the autumn.
Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon, said:
“The Council is using all its powers to drive forward our town centre regeneration, from bidding for external funding, to doing everything we can to encourage and bring forward the redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre and other key town centre sites.
“This £6m of funding from the Council’s agreement with URW will bring immediate improvements to North End, whilst we work with them to shape the longer term plans for the town centre, that will make it a vibrant, successful place of which we can all be proud.”
