Locals in Croydon have branded the Whitgift Centre a 'disgrace' and called for its demolition, as the once-thriving shopping hub now stands largely empty, featuring in Taylor Swift's latest music video. The centre, which was a prime retail destination in the 1960s and 70s, now has most of its units shuttered, a leaking roof, and buckets collecting rainwater. Shoppers told the Mirror that the decline is 'driving people out of Croydon'.
Marilyn Demmen, a 75-year-old lifelong resident, recalled the centre's glory days with stores like Debenhams, Kennards, British Home Stores, and Mothercare. 'It makes you want to cry when you see it,' she said. 'Because you just walk in there... and there's nothing.' She blamed a complicated ownership structure for the neglect, noting that the centre now has 'more security guards than shops'.
A security guard at the centre revealed that despite the emptiness, he deals with troublemakers, including would-be influencers filming videos in the empty corridors. One incident involved '30 people against three' guards. The centre's decline is attributed to years of mismanagement and failed redevelopment plans, including a shelved project to turn it into a Westfield super-mall.
Martin, a 69-year-old former BT worker, criticised '16 years of bad management' and compared Croydon unfavourably to neighbouring boroughs like Bromley and Sutton, which have thriving shopping areas. He pointed to high parking costs as a deterrent, asking, 'Who's gonna come here and park here and pay seven pounds to come to this?'
The Whitgift Foundation owns the land, while the business side has changed hands multiple times. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield became sole owner in 2023 after acquiring Hammerson's stake. A public consultation was held last year, with a full planning application expected by mid-2026. Proposals include converting some retail space into 3,000 homes.
