Hammerson has submitted a detailed planning application to the London Borough of Croydon for the redevelopment of Centrale Shopping Centre. Hammerson purchased the centre in March 2011 having identified an opportunity to transform the town's shopping offer. The submitted proposals are the first phase in Hammerson's long-term vision for retail in Croydon.
The proposals, designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, include redesigning a significant section of the internal retail space and creating a family-friendly leisure quarter.
Two flagship retails units are being created for fashion retailers alongside new restaurants which fulfill strong demand for space from popular dining brands. Hammerson is currently in discussions with operators to bring a multi-screen cinema to Centrale to create a cinema anchor for the scheme.
The redevelopment will enhance the visibility of shop frontages within the centre, and improve connectivity with neighboring parts of the town through a new glazed roof link over Drummond Road. Wider public realm improvement works also form part of future plans.
Lawrence Hutchings, Hammerson Managing Director UK Retail commented: "There has been significant underinvestment in Croydon's retail core for some time with major brands missing from the town's retail mix. Croydon has one of the highest catchment spends in the UK and our proposals will deliver well designed space creating a new prime pitch for the town. There is a massive opportunity to put Croydon back on the map with both retailers and consumers and we want Centrale to lead this transformation."
The 64,700 m² (696,400 ft²) scheme is home to 80 retail units including department store anchors Debenhams and House of Fraser, and attracts over 12 million consumers per year.
Subject to the planning process, work could commence in early 2013 with the new leisure and restaurant quarter open in Autumn 2014.
Source: Hammerson
