The famous Allders name is set to return to Croydon town centre more than a decade after the flagship department store closed for good.
A new line up of shops and cafés called Allders Parade will launch this week in the grand building that once housed Croydon’s most famous shop.
Allders originally opened in Croydon in 1862 and grew to become Britain’s third largest department store. It closed down in 2013 in what was seen as a symbolic blow for Croydon’s declining town centre. The building later housed pop-up shops as the Croydon Village Outlet but that also closed in 2019
However, investment has poured into Croydon over recent years led by the regeneration of its two ageing shopping malls Centrale and Whitgift.
The improvements have been masterminded by shopping centre developer and operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield - owner of the malls in Shepherds Bush and Stratford - in partnership with Croydon council.
The first shops set to open include Miniso, a household and cosmetic retailer. From early October it will be joined by women’s clothing brand Abaci and florist Isle of Flowers, as well as local independent café Coco & Nut, and Meltin’ Moments, an ice cream shop that was once part of the original Allders department store.
Adam Smith, strategic development director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: “The launch of Allders Parade is a fundamental step in The Croydon Project’s revitalisation and transformation of the town centre. We’re delighted to welcome these great brands this Autumn creating a new retail destination in one of the town’s most cherished landmarks.
“This is just the start of delivering on our vision for the town centre, as we look to create a more sustainable, connected and community-focused future for Croydon.”
Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon, added: “It is great to see Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield preserving this landmark building and bringing it back into use for our residents to enjoy again. I am pleased to see a range of quality local and global businesses opening in our town centre. Allders Parade will be a welcome addition to North End and represents an exciting milestone in the wider regeneration of our town centre and growth of the borough.”
