It’s been nearly 13 years since Allders closed, and over a decade since Westfield’s redevelopment plans were first unveiled.
Once home to a thriving shopping scene, with its bustling high streets often compared to a mini Oxford Street, Croydon’s retail landscape has changed, leaving many residents wondering what the future holds.
To capture the pulse of the town, we took to Croydon Guardian’s Facebook page to find out what Croydon residents would like to see in their town, and here’s what they said:
B&M
B&M was a popular shout, with plenty of locals saying they want to see the discount shop come to Croydon.
Famous for its mix of cheap home stuff and groceries, B&M’s known for pulling in shoppers thanks to its low prices.
The nearest one to the Whitgift Centre is in South Norwood, about a 10-minute drive away.
While it’s not right in the town centre, lots of people reckon Croydon needs a B&M to fill the gaps left by shops closing and give shoppers more affordable choices.
Allders
Among the most nostalgic suggestions was the return of Allders.
Allders was once a cornerstone of Croydon’s retail scene.
Allders was first open in 1862 and was known for its wide range of goods, from fashion to homeware.
However, it closed its doors in 2012, leaving a significant gap in the high street.
Since then, many locals have expressed a longing for its return.
Several readers shared their hopes that a modernised version of Allders could help revive the area’s shopping vitality.
One commenter summed up the feeling: “When Allders closed, that was the beginning of the end of Croydon being a great retail centre.”
Home Bargains
Another name that frequently came up in Croydon shoppers’ conversations was Home Bargains.
Much like B&M, this discount retailer has built a strong following thanks to its affordable prices and wide variety of products.
Known for everything from home essentials to seasonal goods, Home Bargains has become a staple for many across the UK.
Currently, the closest Home Bargains store to the Whitgift Centre is in Wimbledon.
While not too difficult of a journey, Croydon shoppers want to see one closer to home.
Debenhams
Debenhams popped up a few times in the comments when we asked Croydon residents what they’d like to see in the town.
Once a popular department store, it was a fixture in the high street for decades, offering a variety of products from clothing to home goods.
When Debenhams closed its doors in 2020, many shoppers were disappointed, feeling it marked another loss for Croydon’s once-vibrant retail scene.
Many said they missed having a department store option in the area, while others felt that its closure just added to the struggles Croydon’s high street has faced in recent years.
Soba told Your Local Guardian: “Debenhams leaving just made things feel worse for Croydon.
“It was one of the last department stores, and losing it just made everything feel like it was falling apart.”
Woolworths
One of the more nostalgic calls from Croydon shoppers was for Woolworths to make a comeback.
The discount store, which used to be a staple on North End, was a favourite for families, selling everything from toys to everyday essentials.
When it shut in 2008, it left a real hole for local shoppers.
Several readers said they’d love to see Woolworths back in Croydon, hoping the brand could help bring life back to the struggling high street.
The convenience and variety it offered still stick in people’s memories.
Over the past few months, Your Local Guardian has been looking into the changes in Croydon’s shopping scene.
This week, we’ve dug into Croydon’s retail landscape, and it’s clear the town centre is facing big challenges.
We’ve revealed the number of empty units at the Whitgift Centre, what residents and shoppers think, and spoken to former and current workers.
Keep an eye out for our last story on this topic, regarding plans for Croydon’s town centre.
