Planning permission granted to revitalise historic Croydon department store

A department store which has served as a Croydon landmark for more than 150 years is set to get a makeover.

Developer and operator Unibail Rodamco Westfield (URW) has been granted planning permission by Croydon council to revitalise the frontage of Allders, in North End, Croydon, with several new food offers, shops and services.

The frontage will be refurbished, but developers said there will only be “minimal alterations”.

The new units are set to include five retail shops ranging from 450 to 1,300 square feet each and two food and drink units at 450 square feet each. 

Plans for the retail units and shops mark the first phase of improvements to rejuvenate the entire building.

Penny Cameron, head of development UK at URW said: “This is the first step of many in our plan to revive this much-loved Croydon landmark, bringing Allders back into use as a space the community can enjoy, while preserving its heritage. 

“We look forward to working with the council to deliver these new shops, services and food outlets for Croydon.”

Allders was founded as an independent department store in 1862 by Joshua Allder and developed into a chain of department stores across England and Wales. 

The chain was sold after it went into administration in 2005, although the original Croydon flagship continued operating until its official closure in 2013. 

Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon, said: “We welcome these plans from URW to revitalise the North End area as part of the wider regeneration of our town centre. 

“We know how much the landmark Allders building means to our residents and businesses and these plans will help to restore a sense of place and pride in our historic town centre.”

Pictured top: CGI of new frontage proposed in refurbishment plans for Allders in North End, Croydon (Picture: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield)