Still no confirmed start for new Westfield shopping centre in Croydon

By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter

It has now been more than a year since Westfield announced it would be reviewing plans for a new shopping centre in Croydon.

But there is still no date for when the review will be completed – or confirmation that the project will ever start.

The Croydon Partnership, which combines Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Hammerson, has told us it “remains committed” to Croydon.

So far, we know that the review is looking at including fewer shops and more restaurants, offices and a hotel.

While the Croydon Partnership didn’t want to comment on the current state of the review, they did tell us that it is ongoing and looking at flexible space that can adapt.

The scheme has been on the cards for years and the subject of major delays.

Croydon residents were previously promised that work on a £1.4 billion shopping centre in 2018.

Shadow cabinet member for regeneration, Gareth Streeter, said: “We desperately want it to happen, our biggest frustration is that if it stuck to the initial timetable that we created when in office it would be open and there wouldn’t be this question mark over hanging over the town centre.

“Labour didn’t strike while the iron was hit.

“I understand that the retail environment has changed now and it is reasonable they need to take stock and readjust.

“The sooner the scheme can come to Croydon the sooner more jobs are going to be created, we need the formal commitment as soon as possible, it would give hope for businesses in Croydon.”