John Lewis and Waitrose to anchor Croydon town centre redevelopment
A John Lewis department store and Waitrose supermarket are to anchor a new £1.4 billion redevelopment of Croydon’s retail town centre.
Spanning 165,000 square feet, the four-level John Lewis shop will incorporate a Waitrose on the ground floor.
Craig Inglis, customer director at John Lewis, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new full-line department store in the newly developed centre, offering the services and products for which we are well known. This exciting new shop will showcase our latest thinking in shop design, creating a modern space for shoppers with customer experience at its heart.”
Ben Stimson, retail director at Waitrose, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring the Waitrose and John Lewis brands together under one roof as part of a state-of-the-art retail and leisure destination and reinforces our commitment to Croydon’s future.”
A joint venture between Westfield and Hammerson, the redeveloped retail centre will offer over 300 shops, including a new M&S. There will also be a range of restaurants, cafés, leisure facilities and a multi-screen cinema complex.
John Burton, head of development, Westfield Europe, said: “This is a major milestone and is a demonstration of the strength of Croydon and the project. John Lewis is the most requested addition to the town centre and its arrival will ensure Croydon’s future as the retail and leisure capital for South London.”
Peter Cole, chief investment Officer, Hammerson, added: “The decision by John Lewis and Waitrose to open anchor stores in Croydon town centre highlights the importance of this growing regional catchment and the desire from leading retailers to have a significant presence in the town.”
The redevelopment of Croydon’s retail centre is part of a wider £5.25 billion plan to transform the town. The retail redevelopment will bring 7,000 new jobs to the area.
The earliest date for construction to commence will be during 2019.
