Westfield to reveal Croydon Whitgift plans next week

Retailers, local businesses and residents in Croydon will be able to attend a four-day consultation from Thursday July 5.

The shopping centre has been the centre of a conflict between Westfield and rival Hammerson who are battling it out to secure the site in order to build their own shopping centres.

Westfield, which already operates Westfield London and Westfield Stratford in the capital, plans to develop the centre into 1.5 million sq ft of retail space which would comprise a “major” department store and a range of shops occupied by a range of retailers including independents.

The development would create over 5,000 permanent full and part time jobs and 400-600 new homes.

Hammerson has that it wants to invest in the Whitgift Centre and aims to join it with its own Centrale mall in Croydon, as well as invest in the local area.

Westfield director of development John Burton said: “Our plans are to bring a world class centre to Croydon, which deserves a retail solution that meets the needs of its local residents and businesses without compromising on quality or style. Our plans will bring an outstanding shopping, leisure and residential development to Croydon and will kick start the wider regeneration of the town.”

Westfield plans to submit its development application for the development in July 2012.