Since being elected as Mayor of Croydon, one of my main priorities has been to progress plans for the regeneration of Croydon Town Centre, which was one of the most visible failures of the previous Croydon Labour Administration.
That's why I'm pleased to announce that Westfield has today restated its intention to regenerate the centre of Croydon, by making a significant investment in its future.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has acquired Hammerson’s 50 per cent stake in the Croydon Partnership, a 10 hectare parcel which includes the current Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres, high street retail frontage, office blocks and multi-storey car parks in the heart of Croydon.
In so doing, a number of logistical challenges have now become simplified, making it easier for the billion pound regeneration of Croydon to be restarted. This significant step sends a very clear signal to Croydon residents that URW remains committed and incredibly enthusiastic about the plans to regenerate the tired Whitgift Centre into a facility fit for the 21st Century.
2022: Mayor Jason Perry meets with Jean-Marie Tritant (L), CEO of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, and Scott Parsons (R), COO of Westfield UK.
I now look forward to working with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield as they develop a new masterplan for Croydon this year, which will inform a new, revised application for the town centre that will meet the future needs of our community. I have reconvened the Mayor’s Town Centre Advisory Board, which is working with key partners to drive forward the regeneration.
The original £1.5bn Westfield-Hammerson deal was brokered in 2013 by the then Conservative-led Council, the then Conservative MP for Croydon Central, and the then Conservative Mayor of London. However, as soon as Labour took office in 2014, the scheme became bogged down - and was eventually removed from URW's pipeline of development altogether.
Since I was elected last May I have met regularly with Westfield and Hammerson to ensure that we get the redevelopment of our town centre back on track.
This is a major step forward and I look forward to continue working with local partners to improve our town centre and restore pride in our borough.
With best wishes,
Jason Perry
Conservative Mayor of Croydon
