The Croydon Partnership has made it clear the start and completion dates for its £1billion shopping centre redevelopment remain on schedule.
Following the publication of Hammerson’s annual results today, some media outlets have reported on a perceived “additional delay” to the scheme which is being delivered on the site of the existing Whitgift Shopping Centre in partnership with fellow retail development giant Westfield.
However, since the conclusion of a successful CPO Inquiry last year, the Partnership had consistently stated its intentions for the centre to be open for business as usual for Christmas 2016 while it completed its land assembly programme.
The Partnership today made the following statement:
“We have made a significant investment into our project in Croydon and remain committed to a start on site as soon as practicably possible, which we have long maintained will be in 2017.
“We expect to have completed the final designs and land assembly by the end of the current year, with a targeted opening in 2020.
“Considerable progress was made in 2015 to advance the scheme, with the conclusion of the CPO Inquiry and the decision from the Secretary of State to allow the council powers to purchase the land required to deliver the project.
“We also acquired the 50 per cent long leasehold interest in the Whitgift centre, and took operational control. We are already preparing for improvements to Centrale, which will include the relocation of a number of retailers from the Whitgift Centre.”
The £1bn scheme is designed to transform Croydon into the premier retail and leisure destination in south London.