One of the major developers behind the regenerated Whitgift Centre is aiming to replicate the success of a recently-opened scheme which as increased footfall in Leeds city centre by 15 per cent.
Victoria Quarter, a Grade II listed luxury retail destination in Leeds, has been brought forward by Hammerson who along with Westfield form the Croydon Partnership which is bringing forward the £1.4billion retail and leisure scheme in Croydon.
Robin Dobson, development director of Hammerson, said the company was looking to build on its success which has seen it build 10 schemes leading to the creation of some 20,000 jobs over the last 15 years.
“If you go and have a look in Leeds it is very akin to what we’re trying to achieve here in Croydon,” said Mr Dobson at a session on Cutting Edge Consumerism which formed part of this year’s Develop Croydon Conference.
“It’s about the touch, it’s about the feel, it’s about people wanting to actually be in a place. We’re good at retail, and we know the retailers, but actually it’s the space and the place that you create around them.
“On the back of Leeds opening, which is a smaller scheme than here in Croydon, footfall in that city is 15 per cent up and that’s what we’re all trying to achieve.
“It isn’t all about the centre that we open and create, it’s about getting people back in and using the city, the town, the wider region.”
Mr Dobson believes a retail centre can coexist with the online revolution and that centres such as the new Whitgift will have a key role to play in the future.
About 90 per cent of stuff that goes online has some form of physical touchpoint,” he said.
“We’re here to create a platform for retailers or catering operators to trade from.
“The choice of coffee shop is just as important as the retail mix. It’s about bringing it all together and we know it works; we’ve proved it over the past couple of years.”