‘The forgotten side of the Whitgift centre’: Family business fundraising to stay open

28 February 2025 Claudia Lee

Owners of a family-run jewellery shop which has served Croydon for two decades say the area’s “decline” may force them to close.

Constantine & Co, formerly YC LONDON, in the Whitgift Centre, is the product of four generations of Eva Nicolaou’s family.

Ms Nicolaou, whose father and grandfather were both jewellers in Cyprus before moving their trade to Thornton Heath in the 1970s, opened her own bespoke jewellery shop in the shopping centre in 2004.

The 54-year-old who now runs the business with her 22-year-old son, Sol Constantinou, said: “This is so much more than just a family jeweller we are trying to save, it’s our legacy, our history.”

The family have set up a Crowdfunder to save the business from closure due to steadily declining footfall in the area and its “impending regeneration”.

Ms Nicolaou, who also has a full time job in the care industry, said: “We limped through Covid but the Whitgift Centre was declining and shops around us are now constantly closing.”

*Sol* *Constantinou now runs Constantine & Co with his mother (Picture:* Eva Constantinou)

The redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre site was first proposed in 2012, with a £1billion retail space set to be completed by 2017. But, after years of delays residents lost hope of seeing their retail megacomplex.

Then, last year, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) took over the project from joint venture partner Hammerson, with a fresh set of retail and residential redevelopment plans.

URW has been consulting with members of the public ahead of the delivery of its ‘masterplan’ next year.

While construction is not expected until 2028, URW hopes to deliver the first planning application to Croydon council next year.

But, Ms Nicolaou said businesses like hers have been “left in limbo”.

She said: “We have to really think about relocating before a deadline is given to us to get out , or the sheer lack of trade ruins us completely.

“I know people say there is nothing to come here for, but there are still a few of us independents, struggling, needing everyone’s business.

“Five independent stores all together in the forgotten side of the Whitgift centre.”

*Under the plans, the Whitgift centre will be redeveloped to include public space, housing, retail and community units (Picture: URW)*

If Ms Nicolaou decides to relocate, it means transporting an entire workshop including safes and heavy machinery as well as setting up a new retail floor.

She said: “This is not cheap. It’s a huge thing and one we really need to raise the funds for.”

Constantine & Co provides an array of services, from jewellery and watch repairs, restoration and remodelling to bespoke engagement rings, wedding bands and custom pendants.

Over the years their trade has caught the eyes of celebrities including Rihanna and 50 cent. Snapshots of the famed visits hang across the shop’s interior as a hopeful reminder of its former glory.

Ms Nicolaou hopes the fundraiser will allow the business to keep its home for “as long as possible”.

She said: “I love Croydon, I grew up here, and it’s so sad what’s happened to the Whitgift Centre. We thought we would be here forever.

“We survived the Croydon riots where the shop was stormed and cabinets were smashed and jewellery was stolen. We survived the closures imposed due to Covid by collecting and delivering orders and repairs and keeping in touch with customers, but the decline of Croydon and its shopping centre is proving a much bigger challenge.”

*Constantine & Co has welcomed celebrity customers including 50 cent over the years (Picture: Eva Constantinou)*

A spokeswoman for Croydon council said the closure of any local business “is disappointing”.

She said: “We are working closely with URW and partners on the redevelopment and the wider transformation of the town centre. In addition to driving forward regeneration, we are committed to supporting local businesses through programmes funded by external grants.

“These initiatives are designed to foster entrepreneurship, resilience, and sustainable growth. We will continue to provide funding and support to help local businesses navigate challenges.”

Last night, URW received endorsement from Croydon council for its blueprint for the North End Quarter encompassing Allders and the Centrale and Whitgift Shopping Centre.

The developer said the plans will help guide the regeneration of the area “over the next 10 to 15 years”.

Constantine & Co’s fundraiser can be found here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/forced-relocation-due-to-decline-of-croydon#start

Pictured top: Sol Constantinou, Eva Nicolaou and her daughter Andi Constantinou (Picture: Eva Constantinou)