New Pop-Up Shops Coming to North End’s Allders Building

Big news for Croydon! The empty Allders building in North End, which has been sitting vacant for over three years, is finally getting some love. Croydon Council has announced plans to fill this iconic structure with pop-up retail and food spots, making it more vibrant and lively.

The owners of the building, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), have submitted a planning application that will remove the current hoardings and replace them with five new retail units and two food and beverage outlets on the ground floor. This move aims to mimic the trendy vibe seen at East Croydon’s BoxPark, where ‘pop-up’ shops have done quite well.

According to Croydon’s Mayor, Jason Perry, these plans are part of a larger vision to transform the town center and create a dynamic atmosphere. Earlier this year, URW bought out Hammerson, which owns the Centrale shopping center, and this further development is expected to breathe new life into the surrounding area.

The Allders building, which used to be a bustling department store before closing in 2013, has been hidden behind colorful hoardings for some time. The Council’s aim here is to restore a sense of pride and community back to the high street, making it a place where local businesses can thrive.

Recent comments on the Nextdoor app from residents show mixed feelings. Some are eagerly welcoming the plans, like John Else, who said this is much needed. Others, like Dee Evans, worry that these new shops will just be more mobile repair shops or similar businesses that the area already has too many of.

However, not everyone is pleased. Some see this as just a temporary fix, calling the plan a “sticking plaster.” On Facebook, comments have pointed out that what Croydon really needs is more proper shops instead of the proposed pop-ups. It seems there are voices in the community looking for more substantial changes.

This announcement has also sparked concerns about the long-anticipated Westfield shopping center project that many have been hoping for. Some residents are left wondering, “So no Westfield?” As the plans for Westfield have seen ups and downs over the last ten years, the anticipation continues to build. URW is expected to release further details about their Masterplan for Croydon by 2025.