The old Milk & More dairy site on Brighton Road will be converted into a retail unit and 20 studio spaces for local creatives, following approval from Croydon Council’s planning department.
The development, which falls under the Purley Business Improvement District, has been praised for regenerating a vacant site and fitting with Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priorities of attracting investment and creating jobs in the area.
The former dairy’s three buildings, known for their locally listed frontages, will be repaired and restored for public use, with new additions designed to honour their heritage.
The new store will join existing M&S outlets in the town centre’s Whitgift Centre and a recently opened full-line store on Purley Way.
The site, developed by Grove Property in collaboration with M&S, will also serve as a new creative hub for locals.
Above a 68-space car park, 20 individual and two large open-plan studios will be available, aiming to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Croydon’s creative industries.
The planning application, which received 582 supportive representations and 96% per cent backing from Purley respondents, promises to deliver approximately 120 new jobs for residents.
In a statement, Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, expressed his delight at the development, highlighting the benefits to the local economy and community.
He said: “This Brighton Road project is a great example of investors working closely with the Croydon community, Council, and commercial partners to design a regeneration project that delivers for all.
“I’m delighted that we will see these historic buildings restored and brought back into use, whilst retaining their heritage.
“The approach by Marks & Spencer to open a new Foodhall in Purley signals that this is an area that retailers want to invest in.”
He added: “I welcome the 120 jobs the development proposals will create locally, as well as the many opportunities the creative studios will bring to entrepreneurs and the Croydon economy.”
Nick Snashall, from Grove Property, spoke of the company’s vision to rejuvenate the area after acquiring the site from Milk & More.
He said working with Croydon Council and M&S has enabled this vision to come to fruition.
He added: “We are excited to enter the delivery phase of this project, which will bring much-needed inward investment and new job opportunities to the area.”
M&S Property Director William Smith stated that the new store aims to provide the best possible shopping experience for customers.
He said: “We’re reshaping M&S for growth and making sure we have the right stores in the right space to deliver the best possible shopping experience for customers.
“We are delighted to open a brand-new M&S Foodhall in Purley, creating some 55 jobs for the local community.”
He added: “The show-stopping store will support local suppliers and will offer shoppers a fresh market-style Foodhall brimming with fresh produce, sourced from M&S’ Select Farm Partners.”
The new M&S Foodhall is set to be a significant addition to the community, offering both employment opportunities and a boost to the local economy.
