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{{short description|Shopping centre in Croydon, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| name = Whitgift Centre
| name = Whitgift Centre
| image = Whitgift Centre - North End entrance.jpg
| image = Whitgift Centre - North End entrance.jpg
|logo=Whitgift Croydon.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =Main entrance to Whitgift Centre from [[North End, Croydon]]
| caption = Main entrance to Whitgift Centre from [[North End, Croydon]]
| building_type = [[Shopping centre]]/[[Offices]] and [[Car park]]
| building_type = [[Shopping centre]]/[[Offices]] and [[Car park]]
| architectural_style =
| architectural_style =
| structural_system =
| structural_system =
| cost =
| cost =
| client = [[Howard Holdings plc]]
| owner = [[Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield]] (since 2023)
⚫
| current_tenants = [[Boots (company)|Boots]], [[Holland & Barrett]], [[New Look (company)|New Look]], [[River Island]], [[Sainsbury's|Sainsbury's Central]]
| owner = [[Whitgift Foundation]]
⚫
| landlord = The Croydon Partnership ([[Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield]])
⚫
| current_tenants = [[Boots The Chemists]], [[Holland & Barrett]], [[New Look (company)|New Look]], [[River Island]], [[Sainsbury's|Sainsbury's Central]]
⚫
| landlord = The Croydon Partnership ([[Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield]]/[[Hammerson plc]])
| address =
| address =
| location_town = [[Croydon]], [[London]]
| location_town = [[Croydon]], England
| start_date =
| start_date =
| completion_date =
| completion_date =
| inauguration_date = 1970
| inauguration_date = {{Start date and age|1970|10|df=yes}}
| renovation_date =
| renovation_date =
| height =
| height =
| diameter =
| diameter =
| floor_count =
| floor_count = 3
| floor_area = {{convert|1300000|sqft}}<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/>
| floor_area = {{convert|1300000|sqft}}<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/>
| main_contractor = Fitzroy Robinson & Partners
| main_contractor = [[Fitzroy Robinson & Partners]]
| architect = [[Anthony Minoprio]]
| architect = [[Anthony Minoprio]]
| architecture_firm = Geddes Architects
| architecture_firm = Geddes Architects
Line 33: Line 33:
| references =
| references =
}}
}}
The '''Whitgift Centre''' is a large [[shopping centre]] and office development in the centre of [[Croydon]], [[London]], opened in stages between 1968 and 1970.<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/> The centre comprises {{convert|1302444|sqft|m2|0|abbr=on}} of retail space. It was the largest covered shopping development in Greater London until the opening of [[Westfield London]] at [[White City, London|White City]] in October 2008. Hammerson and Westfield have formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping mall and combine it with neighbouring [[Centrale (Croydon)|Centrale]].<ref name="propertymall.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/30767 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=11 January 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130216162601/http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/30767 |archivedate=16 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
The '''Whitgift Centre''' is a large [[shopping centre]] in the town centre of [[Croydon]], opening in stages between 1968 and 1970.<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/> The centre comprises {{convert|1302444|sqft|m2|0|abbr=on}} of retail space, and was the largest covered shopping development in [[Greater London]] until the opening of [[Westfield London]] at [[White City, London|White City]] in 2008. The Whitgift Centre has a monthly footfall of 2.08 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityspace-media.com/malls/our-malls/|title=Our Malls – CitySpace Media}}</ref> The complex includes an office development.

The shopping centre has been synonymous with Croydon since its opening.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://londonist.com/2015/07/a-farewell-tour-of-the-whitgift-centre|title=A Farewell Tour Of The Whitgift Centre|date=2 July 2015|website=Londonist}}</ref> In 2013, [[Hammerson]] and the [[Westfield Group]] formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping mall and combine it with neighbouring [[Centrale (Croydon)|Centrale]].<ref name="propertymall.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/30767 |title=Hammerson / Westfield - General - Hammerson and Westfield unite in £1 billion Croydon town centre regeneration |access-date=11 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216162601/http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/30767 |archive-date=16 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> After years of delays, work was expected to begin in 2020, although the future of the project was under review in February 2019 citing concerns over [[Brexit]] and structural changes on the high street.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prynn |first1=Jonathan |title=Westfield's £1.4bn Croydon development 'under review due to Brexit and structural changes on the high street' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/westfield-s-14bn-croydon-development-under-review-due-to-brexit-and-structural-changes-on-the-high-a4066846.html |access-date=12 September 2019 |work=Evening Standard |date=14 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/brutally-honest-review-whitgift-centre-17058504|title=A brutally honest review of The Whitgift Centre in Croydon|first=Ian|last=Molyneaux|date=13 October 2019|website=getwestlondon}}</ref>

The shopping centre is managed by Hammerson Leasing. In 2023 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of the Whitgift Centre, along with the nearby [[Centrale (shopping centre)|Centrale]] centre.


==Background==
==Background==
{{Main|Whitgift Foundation}}
{{Main|Whitgift Foundation}}
⚫
The name of the centre comes from [[John Whitgift]], a former [[archbishop of Canterbury]] who is buried nearby in [[Croydon Minster]]. The Centre's Land [[freehold (law)|freehold]] is owned by the [[Whitgift Foundation]], a charity registered in England and Wales.<ref name="charity-commission"/> The Foundation sold a long-term lease to a company 75% owned and controlled by Howard Holdings plc, and 25% by the Foundation. Designed by Geddes Architects, the centre was built after the demolition of the historic buildings of [[Whitgift School]], which had more recently been occupied from 1931 to 1965 by Whitgift Middle School, known from 1954 as the [[Trinity School of John Whitgift]], both schools having subsequently moved away to new sites.
⚫
[[File:Whitgift Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1365602.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of Whitgift Centre from Wellesley Road entrance]]
⚫
The name comes from [[John Whitgift]], a former [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]. The [[freehold (law)|freehold]] of the Centre is owned by the [[Whitgift Foundation]], a charity registered in England & Wales.<ref name="charity-commission"/> They sold a long term lease to a company 75% owned and controlled by Howard Holdings plc, and 25% by the Whitgift Foundation themselves. Designed by Geddes Architects, the centre was built on the site of Whitgift Middle School, renamed [[Trinity School of John Whitgift]] in 1954, which moved to a new site at [[Shirley, London|Shirley Park]] in 1965.


==History==
==History==
[[File:The Whitgift Centre, Croydon - geograph.org.uk - 694473.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|1990s view of the redeveloped Whitgift Centre]]
[[File:Whitgift Centre, Croydon, 1976.jpg|thumb|left|1976 view of the Whitgift Centre]]
The centre was designed by [[Anthony Minoprio]] and built between 1965 and 1970 by Fitzroy Robinson & Partners. Commenting in 1971, architectural historians [[Ian Nairn]] and [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] stated that "most of the architectural details are banal, but the centre functions unusually well as a shopping precinct".<ref name="Pevsner118–119">{{Harvnb|Nairn|Pevsner|1971|pp=118–119.}}</ref>
The centre was designed by [[Anthony Minoprio]] and built between 1965 and 1970 by [[Fitzroy Robinson & Partners]]. Commenting in 1971, architectural historians [[Ian Nairn]] and [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] stated that "most of the architectural details are banal, but the centre functions unusually well as a shopping precinct".<ref name="Pevsner118–119">{{Harvnb|Nairn|Pevsner|1971|pp=118–119.}}</ref>


In the first two decades of its existence, the Whitgift Centre had no roof and was open to the elements.
In the first two decades of its existence, the Whitgift Centre had no roof and was open to the elements.


⚫
The first shop to open was [[Boots (company)|Boots]] on 17 October 1968, and the centre itself was officially opened in October 1970 by the [[Katharine, Duchess of Kent|Duchess of Kent]].<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/> In the middle of the Whitgift Centre there was a Roman-themed pub called The Forum.
⚫
[[File:Whitgift Square in Whitgift Centre - November 2017.jpg|thumb|left|Whitgift Square in Whitgift Centre]]

⚫
[[File:Whitgift Centre.JPG|thumb|Sainsbury's Square]]
[[File:Inside Whitgift Centre, Croydon.jpg|thumb|upright|Whitgift Centre interior in 2011, after its atrium redesign]]
⚫
The first shop to open was [[Boots Group|Boots]] on 17 October 1968, and the centre itself was officially opened in October 1970 by the [[Katharine, Duchess of Kent|Duchess of Kent]].<ref name="cg-15sep2010"/> In the middle of the Whitgift Centre there was a Roman-themed pub called The Forum. In the 1990s, the centre was almost completely rebuilt to an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] design, and the Forum pub was demolished.
In the 1990s, the centre was almost completely rebuilt to an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] design, and the Forum pub was demolished.

Some businesses of the former Croydon Village Outlet, based at the former [[Allders]] site, moved into Whitgift after the Outlet was taken over by Croydon Council in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/17838826.croydon-village-outlet-concessions-move-whitgift/|title=Businesses forced out of Croydon Village Outlet move to Whitgift Centre|website=Your Local Guardian}}</ref>


==Structure==
==Structure==
[[File:Whitgift Centre - Wellesley Road entrance.jpg|thumb|The [[Wellesley Road]] entrance]]The shopping centre is on three storeys. The upper two are for retail, and the basement provides vehicle access to all the retail units, with a {{convert|1|km|1}} network of service roads.
The shopping centre is on three storeys. The upper two are for retail, and the basement provides vehicle access to all the retail units, with a {{convert|1|km|1}} network of service roads.


The Centre adjoins the now closed [[Allders]] [[department store]], which has substantial frontage onto the Centre. The office accommodation consists of five tower blocks rising above the shopping centre.
The Centre adjoins the now closed [[Allders]] [[department store]], which has substantial frontage onto the Centre. The office accommodation consists of five tower blocks rising above the shopping centre.


The other major shopping centre in central Croydon is [[Centrale (shopping centre)|Centrale]], owned by [[Hammerson]], on the other side of the street named North End. Both centres are jointly marketed.
The other major shopping centre in central Croydon is [[Centrale (shopping centre)|Centrale]], owned by [[Hammerson]], on the other side of the street named North End. Both centres are jointly marketed.

<gallery>
The Whitgift Centre, Croydon - geograph.org.uk - 694473.jpg|The redeveloped Whitgift Centre in 1990
⚫
Whitgift Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1365602.jpg|Interior of Whitgift Centre from the Wellesley Road entrance
⚫
Whitgift Centre.JPG|Sainsbury's Square
⚫
Whitgift Square in Whitgift Centre - November 2017.jpg|Whitgift Square
Whitgift Centre - Wellesley Road entrance.jpg|The [[Wellesley Road]] entrance
</gallery>


==Redevelopment==
==Redevelopment==
{{Main|Croydon Vision 2020}}
{{Main|Croydon Vision 2020}}
As part of [[Croydon Vision 2020]], plans to develop and expand the centre were formalised by leaseholder and landlord [[Howard Holdings plc]], for which a planning application was submitted. Construction of the extension was due to start in 2009 and be finished in 2014, as promised by Geddes Architects who were the main contractor.
As part of [[Croydon Vision 2020]], plans to develop and expand the centre were formalised by leaseholder and landlord [[Howard Holdings]], for which a planning application was submitted. Construction of the extension was due to start in 2009 and be finished in 2014, as promised by Geddes Architects who were the main contractor.


In 2010, Howard Holdings went into administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/1114/1224258815520.html |title=Anglo restructures securities on assets of Howard Holdings |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=14 November 2009 |accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/40aa4f48e7ea78ebd12880a2bf6759fd/compdetails |title=Failure Page |publisher=Wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk |date= |accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref> Their 75% of the lease company and management of the centre is now managed by their administrators, on behalf of [[Royal London Asset Management]] and the [[Irish Bank Resolution Corporation]].
In 2010, Howard Holdings went into administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/1114/1224258815520.html |title=Anglo restructures securities on assets of Howard Holdings |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=14 November 2009 |access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/40aa4f48e7ea78ebd12880a2bf6759fd/compdetails |title=Failure Page |publisher=Wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk |access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref> Their 75% of the lease company and management of the centre is now managed by their administrators, on behalf of [[Royal London Asset Management]] and the [[Irish Bank Resolution Corporation]].


In mid-2011, two companies were invited to pitch for the redevelopment: [[Australia]]n-based [[Westfield Group]] and UK-French based Hammerson. The Whitgift Foundation came to a binding agreement with Westfield for a £1bn redevelopment scheme. However, RLAM/IBRC preferred Hammerson, and so came to an alternate agreement, announcing Hammerson as the winner in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/9180901/Hammerson-chosen-over-Westfield-to-redevelop-Whitgift-shopping-centre.html |title=Hammerson chosen over Westfield to redevelop Whitgift shopping centre |publisher=Telegraph |date= |accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref> Although RLAM/IBRC owned 75% of the leasehold company, no development could take place without the agreement of the freeholder, the Whitgift Foundation. In mid-2012, the joint leaseholders agreed on a public consultation of the two rivals and their schemes. The winner was to be granted a long-term lease, subject to redevelopment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18682091 |title=Westfield unveils plans for Croydon shopping centre - BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref>
In mid-2011, two companies were invited to pitch for the redevelopment: Australian-based [[Westfield Group]] and UK-French based Hammerson. The Whitgift Foundation came to a binding agreement with Westfield for a £1bn redevelopment scheme. However, RLAM/IBRC preferred Hammerson, and so came to an alternate agreement, announcing Hammerson as the winner in April 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/9180901/Hammerson-chosen-over-Westfield-to-redevelop-Whitgift-shopping-centre.html |title=Hammerson chosen over Westfield to redevelop Whitgift shopping centre |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref> Although RLAM/IBRC owned 75% of the leasehold company, no development could take place without the agreement of the freeholder, the Whitgift Foundation. In mid-2012, the joint leaseholders agreed on a public consultation of the two rivals and their schemes. The winner was to be granted a long-term lease, subject to redevelopment.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18682091 |title=Westfield unveils plans for Croydon shopping centre |work=BBC News |access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref>


In January 2013 Hammerson and Westfield formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping mall. The joint venture company will purchase a 25% interest in the Whitgift Centre, following completion of Hammerson's conditional acquisition agreement with Royal London. Under the new agreement, they intend to redevelop and combine the two main Croydon shopping centres, the Whitgift Centre and Centrale. The mixed use scheme of around 200,000 m<sup>2</sup> will include retail, leisure and residential use with the potential for hotels and offices.<ref name="propertymall.com"/>
In January 2013, Hammerson and Westfield formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping mall. The joint venture company will purchase a 25% interest in the Whitgift Centre, following completion of Hammerson's conditional acquisition agreement with Royal London. Under the new agreement, they intend to redevelop and combine the two main Croydon shopping centres, the Whitgift Centre and Centrale. The mixed use scheme of around 200,000 m<sup>2</sup> will include retail, leisure and residential use with the potential for hotels and offices.<ref name="propertymall.com"/>


On 25 November 2013 the redevelopment plan was approved by Croydon Council, subject to final approval by the Mayor of London on 27 November.<ref>{{cite web|author=David Churchill |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/croydon-westfield-set-to-go-ahead-after-planners-support-1bn-scheme-8963792.html |title=Croydon Westfield set to go ahead after planners support £1bn scheme &#124; London &#124; News &#124; London Evening Standard |publisher=Standard.co.uk |date=26 November 2013 |accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref> Subsequently, plans were revised and (in 2016) with the expected start date for works is 2017, with completion due by 2020. These were revised again with the planning application now being decided upon in 2017 with construction to commence in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecroydonpartnership.com/articles/1083/2016-10-20/croydon-partnership-submits-enhanced-outline-planning-application-for-redevelopment-of-croydon-s-retail-centre|title=CROYDON PARTNERSHIP SUBMITS ENHANCED OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF CROYDON'S RETAIL CENTRE {{!}} Croydon Partnership|website=www.thecroydonpartnership.com|access-date=31 October 2016}}</ref>
On 25 November 2013, the redevelopment plan was approved by Croydon Council, subject to final approval by the Mayor of London on 27 November.<ref>{{cite news |author=David Churchill |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/croydon-westfield-set-to-go-ahead-after-planners-support-1bn-scheme-8963792.html |title=Croydon Westfield set to go ahead after planners support £1bn scheme |work=London Evening Standard |date=26 November 2013 |access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref> Subsequently, plans were revised; in 2016, the expected start date for works was 2017, with completion due by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecroydonpartnership.com/articles/1083/2016-10-20/croydon-partnership-submits-enhanced-outline-planning-application-for-redevelopment-of-croydon-s-retail-centre|title=CROYDON PARTNERSHIP SUBMITS ENHANCED OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF CROYDON'S RETAIL CENTRE {{!}} Croydon Partnership|website=www.thecroydonpartnership.com|access-date=31 October 2016}}</ref> These were later revised again with the planning application being decided upon in 2017 with construction to commence in 2018, later delayed until September 2019.<ref name="ylg">{{cite news |title=Whitgift shop owners in the dark about Westfield development |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/17368974.whitgift-shop-owners-in-the-dark-about-westfield-development/ |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=Your Local Guardian |date=18 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> {{asof|January 2019}}, shop owners and council leaders did not know when redevelopment would begin.<ref name="ylg"/> In February 2020 it was reported that the plan was delayed again as it was under "review".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-51578736|title=Shopping centre delay branded 'disaster'|work=BBC News|date=21 February 2020}}</ref>

The delays and uncertainty regarding the future of Whitgift has led to a reduced footfall and some traders moving out. Following the pandemic the uncertainty did not lessen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shakinghands.co.uk/news/20190118_whitgift-centre-westfield/|title=Croydon's Whitgift Centre 'is dying' through uncertainty over Westfield|first=Shaking|last=Hands (www.shakinghands.co.uk)}}</ref>

In 2023 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of the Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Jade |title=Westfield completes acquisition of Croydon |url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/westfield-completes-acquisition-of-croydon-from-hammerson |access-date=8 February 2024 |work=Drapers |date=27 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The shopping centre sign appears in [[Andrew Haigh]]'s 2023 film ''[[All of Us Strangers]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tryhorn |first1=Chris |title=Croydon facelift: 20 years after Peep Show, London’s biggest borough lands in the Oscars spotlight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/28/croydon-facelift-20-years-after-peep-show-londons-biggest-borough-lands-in-the-oscars-spotlight |access-date=8 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=28 December 2023}}</ref>

The shopping centre also appears in Season 4, Episode 5 of the [[The IT Crowd|IT Crowd]]<ref>{{Citation |title=Bad Boys filming locations — MovieMaps |url=https://moviemaps.org/episodes/24g |access-date=2024-02-09}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="cg-15sep2010">{{cite news|title=Have you been around as long as Whitgift?|newspaper=[[Croydon Guardian]]|date=15 September 2010|page=2|accessdate=20 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="cg-15sep2010">{{cite news|title=Have you been around as long as Whitgift?|newspaper=[[Croydon Guardian]]|date=15 September 2010|page=2}}</ref>
<ref name="charity-commission">{{EW charity|312612|The Whitgift Foundation}}</ref>
<ref name="charity-commission">{{EW charity|312612|The Whitgift Foundation}}</ref>
}}
}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last1=Nairn|first1=Ian|authorlink1=Ian Nairn|last2=Pevsner|first2=Nikolaus|authorlink2=Nikolaus Pevsner|title=The Buildings of England: Surrey|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|location=Harmondsworth|year=1971|origyear=1962|edition=2nd|isbn=0-300-09675-5|ref=harv|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5b6dCBlfCLUC&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=%22Anthony+Minoprio%22&source=bl&ots=tGpjTGgLIM&sig=iKpGAYHkHi-RhSFWOgmJiuEAezU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=z1Y8U43yG8GphAejz4GQDg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAjge#v=onepage&q=%22Anthony%20Minoprio%22&f=false|accessdate=2 April 2014}}
* {{cite book|last1=Nairn|first1=Ian|author-link1=Ian Nairn|last2=Pevsner|first2=Nikolaus|author-link2=Nikolaus Pevsner|title=The Buildings of England: Surrey|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|location=Harmondsworth|year=1971|orig-year=1962|edition=2nd|isbn=0-300-09675-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5b6dCBlfCLUC&q=%22Anthony+Minoprio%22&pg=PA188|access-date=2 April 2014}}


==External links==
==External links==
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⚫
[[Category:Anthony Minoprio buildings]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Shopping centres in London]]
⚫
[[Category:Retail buildings in London]]
[[Category:Shopping in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Croydon 2020]]
[[Category:Croydon 2020]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Shopping centres in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1970]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1970]]
[[Category:Westfield Group|Croydon]]
[[Category:Westfield Group|Croydon]]
[[Category:Anthony Minoprio buildings]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 08:53, 29 July 2024

Whitgift Centre
Main entrance to Whitgift Centre from North End, Croydon
Map
General information
TypeShopping centre/Offices and Car park
Town or cityCroydon, England
Current tenantsBoots, Holland & Barrett, New Look, River Island, Sainsbury's Central
InauguratedOctober 1970; 54 years ago (1970-10)
OwnerUnibail-Rodamco-Westfield (since 2023)
LandlordThe Croydon Partnership (Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield)
Technical details
Floor count3
Floor area1,300,000 square feet (120,000 m2)[1]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Anthony Minoprio
Architecture firmGeddes Architects
Main contractorFitzroy Robinson & Partners

The Whitgift Centre is a large shopping centre in the town centre of Croydon, opening in stages between 1968 and 1970.[1] The centre comprises 1,302,444 sq ft (121,001 m2) of retail space, and was the largest covered shopping development in Greater London until the opening of Westfield London at White City in 2008. The Whitgift Centre has a monthly footfall of 2.08 million.[2] The complex includes an office development.

The shopping centre has been synonymous with Croydon since its opening.[3] In 2013, Hammerson and the Westfield Group formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping mall and combine it with neighbouring Centrale.[4] After years of delays, work was expected to begin in 2020, although the future of the project was under review in February 2019 citing concerns over Brexit and structural changes on the high street.[5][6]

The shopping centre is managed by Hammerson Leasing. In 2023 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of the Whitgift Centre, along with the nearby Centrale centre.

Background

[edit]
Main article: Whitgift Foundation

The name of the centre comes from John Whitgift, a former archbishop of Canterbury who is buried nearby in Croydon Minster. The Centre's Land freehold is owned by the Whitgift Foundation, a charity registered in England and Wales.[7] The Foundation sold a long-term lease to a company 75% owned and controlled by Howard Holdings plc, and 25% by the Foundation. Designed by Geddes Architects, the centre was built after the demolition of the historic buildings of Whitgift School, which had more recently been occupied from 1931 to 1965 by Whitgift Middle School, known from 1954 as the Trinity School of John Whitgift, both schools having subsequently moved away to new sites.

History

[edit]
1976 view of the Whitgift Centre

The centre was designed by Anthony Minoprio and built between 1965 and 1970 by Fitzroy Robinson & Partners. Commenting in 1971, architectural historians Ian Nairn and Nikolaus Pevsner stated that "most of the architectural details are banal, but the centre functions unusually well as a shopping precinct".[8]

In the first two decades of its existence, the Whitgift Centre had no roof and was open to the elements.

The first shop to open was Boots on 17 October 1968, and the centre itself was officially opened in October 1970 by the Duchess of Kent.[1] In the middle of the Whitgift Centre there was a Roman-themed pub called The Forum.

Whitgift Centre interior in 2011, after its atrium redesign

In the 1990s, the centre was almost completely rebuilt to an atrium design, and the Forum pub was demolished.

Some businesses of the former Croydon Village Outlet, based at the former Allders site, moved into Whitgift after the Outlet was taken over by Croydon Council in 2019.[9]

Structure

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The shopping centre is on three storeys. The upper two are for retail, and the basement provides vehicle access to all the retail units, with a 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) network of service roads.

The Centre adjoins the now closed Allders department store, which has substantial frontage onto the Centre. The office accommodation consists of five tower blocks rising above the shopping centre.

The other major shopping centre in central Croydon is Centrale, owned by Hammerson, on the other side of the street named North End. Both centres are jointly marketed.

  • The redeveloped Whitgift Centre in 1990
    The redeveloped Whitgift Centre in 1990
  • Interior of Whitgift Centre from the Wellesley Road entrance
    Interior of Whitgift Centre from the Wellesley Road entrance
  • Sainsbury's Square
    Sainsbury's Square
  • Whitgift Square
    Whitgift Square
  • The Wellesley Road entrance
    The Wellesley Road entrance

Redevelopment

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Main article: Croydon Vision 2020

As part of Croydon Vision 2020, plans to develop and expand the centre were formalised by leaseholder and landlord Howard Holdings, for which a planning application was submitted. Construction of the extension was due to start in 2009 and be finished in 2014, as promised by Geddes Architects who were the main contractor.

In 2010, Howard Holdings went into administration.[10][11] Their 75% of the lease company and management of the centre is now managed by their administrators, on behalf of Royal London Asset Management and the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

In mid-2011, two companies were invited to pitch for the redevelopment: Australian-based Westfield Group and UK-French based Hammerson. The Whitgift Foundation came to a binding agreement with Westfield for a £1bn redevelopment scheme. However, RLAM/IBRC preferred Hammerson, and so came to an alternate agreement, announcing Hammerson as the winner in April 2012.[12] Although RLAM/IBRC owned 75% of the leasehold company, no development could take place without the agreement of the freeholder, the Whitgift Foundation. In mid-2012, the joint leaseholders agreed on a public consultation of the two rivals and their schemes. The winner was to be granted a long-term lease, subject to redevelopment.[13]

In January 2013, Hammerson and Westfield formed a joint venture to redevelop the shopping mall. The joint venture company will purchase a 25% interest in the Whitgift Centre, following completion of Hammerson's conditional acquisition agreement with Royal London. Under the new agreement, they intend to redevelop and combine the two main Croydon shopping centres, the Whitgift Centre and Centrale. The mixed use scheme of around 200,000 m2 will include retail, leisure and residential use with the potential for hotels and offices.[4]

On 25 November 2013, the redevelopment plan was approved by Croydon Council, subject to final approval by the Mayor of London on 27 November.[14] Subsequently, plans were revised; in 2016, the expected start date for works was 2017, with completion due by 2020.[15] These were later revised again with the planning application being decided upon in 2017 with construction to commence in 2018, later delayed until September 2019.[16] As of January 2019, shop owners and council leaders did not know when redevelopment would begin.[16] In February 2020 it was reported that the plan was delayed again as it was under "review".[17]

The delays and uncertainty regarding the future of Whitgift has led to a reduced footfall and some traders moving out. Following the pandemic the uncertainty did not lessen.[18]

In 2023 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of the Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres.[19]

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The shopping centre sign appears in Andrew Haigh's 2023 film All of Us Strangers.[20]

The shopping centre also appears in Season 4, Episode 5 of the IT Crowd[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Have you been around as long as Whitgift?". Croydon Guardian. 15 September 2010. p. 2.
  2. ^ "Our Malls – CitySpace Media".
  3. ^ "A Farewell Tour Of The Whitgift Centre". Londonist. 2 July 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Hammerson / Westfield - General - Hammerson and Westfield unite in £1 billion Croydon town centre regeneration". Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  5. ^ Prynn, Jonathan (14 February 2019). "Westfield's £1.4bn Croydon development 'under review due to Brexit and structural changes on the high street'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  6. ^ Molyneaux, Ian (13 October 2019). "A brutally honest review of The Whitgift Centre in Croydon". getwestlondon.
  7. ^ "The Whitgift Foundation, registered charity no. 312612". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  8. ^ Nairn & Pevsner 1971, pp. 118–119.
  9. ^ "Businesses forced out of Croydon Village Outlet move to Whitgift Centre". Your Local Guardian.
  10. ^ "Anglo restructures securities on assets of Howard Holdings". Irishtimes.com. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Failure Page". Wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Hammerson chosen over Westfield to redevelop Whitgift shopping centre". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Westfield unveils plans for Croydon shopping centre". BBC News. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  14. ^ David Churchill (26 November 2013). "Croydon Westfield set to go ahead after planners support £1bn scheme". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  15. ^ "CROYDON PARTNERSHIP SUBMITS ENHANCED OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF CROYDON'S RETAIL CENTRE | Croydon Partnership". www.thecroydonpartnership.com. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Whitgift shop owners in the dark about Westfield development". Your Local Guardian. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Shopping centre delay branded 'disaster'". BBC News. 21 February 2020.
  18. ^ Hands (www.shakinghands.co.uk), Shaking. "Croydon's Whitgift Centre 'is dying' through uncertainty over Westfield".
  19. ^ Burke, Jade (27 April 2023). "Westfield completes acquisition of Croydon". Drapers. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  20. ^ Tryhorn, Chris (28 December 2023). "Croydon facelift: 20 years after Peep Show, London's biggest borough lands in the Oscars spotlight". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  21. ^ Bad Boys filming locations — MovieMaps, retrieved 9 February 2024

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Whitgift Centre.

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