Planning permission has been granted for the restoration of Croydon’s Allders building, marking a significant step in its rejuvenation.
- Allders, founded in 1862 and closed in 2013, is set to receive a refurbished frontage and new retail units.
- The redevelopment will include five retail units and two food outlets, ranging from 450 to 1,300 sq ft.
- Penny Cameron of URW emphasises the project’s focus on community enjoyment while preserving heritage.
- Croydon Council and URW collaborate to restore pride in the historic town centre.
The historic Allders department store in Croydon is set for a significant transformation as developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has secured planning permission to revitalise this iconic building. Founded in 1862, Allders was a key fixture of Croydon until its closure in 2013. The restoration efforts, approved by Croydon Council, include minimal alterations to the building’s façade while introducing new shops and food outlets.
This ambitious redevelopment will see the introduction of five new retail units, with sizes ranging from 450 to 1,300 square feet, along with two food and beverage outlets, each occupying 450 square feet. These changes form part of a phased plan aimed at rejuvenating the building, preserving its historical significance while renewing its functionality for the community.
Penny Cameron, head of UK development at URW, underlines the project’s dual objective of community revitalisation and heritage preservation. She expressed her enthusiasm about bringing Allders back into public use, highlighting it as a space that the Croydon community can enjoy once more. “This is the first step of many in our plan to revive this much-loved Croydon landmark”, Cameron stated, underscoring the potential for the site to once again become a central hub in the town.
The backdrop to this development includes a broader historical context where Croydon’s retail landscape has faced profound challenges. Since 2013, there have been attempts, notably the joint venture by Westfield and Hammerson, to transform the Whitgift Centre and Centrale shopping centre. Despite ambitious plans, this redevelopment encountered numerous setbacks, including financial difficulties and delays exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in URW acquiring the remaining stake from Hammerson last year.
Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, remarked on the importance of the Allders building to local residents and businesses. He conveyed confidence that the redevelopment plans would help restore a sense of place and civic pride, reinforcing the importance of the Allders site within Croydon’s historic town centre.
The restoration of Allders signals a promising revival for Croydon’s historic landscape, balancing heritage with contemporary community needs.
