Whitgift Centre
The Whitgift Centre is a large, multi-level shopping centre in central Croydon, London.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Whitgift Centre is a major shopping centre in the town centre of Croydon, South London. It opened in stages from 1968 to 1970 and became one of the defining commercial landmarks of the town. At approximately 1.3 million square feet, or 121,001 square metres, of retail space, it was described as the largest covered shopping development in Greater London until Westfield London opened at White City in 2008. The centre has historically attracted substantial visitor traffic, with reference material citing monthly footfall of approximately 2.08 million. The centre takes its name from John Whitgift, the former Archbishop of Canterbury whose tomb is at nearby Croydon Minster. Its freehold land is held by the Whitgift Foundation, an English and Welsh charity. The development was created on land associated with the former Whitgift School buildings, which had also been used by predecessor educational institutions before the schools relocated. Architectural work was associated with Anthony Minoprio, Geddes Architects and Fitzroy Robinson & Partners, while construction took place during the second half of the 1960s. The first store to open was Boots, on 17 October 1968. The centre was formally opened in October 1970 by the Duchess of Kent. In its original form, much of the shopping precinct was open to the elements rather than enclosed by a roof. During the 1990s it was substantially rebuilt around an atrium-style design, and the former Roman-themed Forum pub in the central area was removed. The complex now occupies three principal retail levels, with a basement containing vehicle access and an extensive service-road network. Five office towers rise above parts of the shopping development. Whitgift has long operated alongside Centrale, another large shopping centre on the opposite side of North End. The two centres have been jointly marketed and were proposed as components of a single large-scale regeneration scheme. Plans developed during the 2000s and early 2010s envisaged combining the sites into a mixed-use destination with expanded retail, leisure, residential, hotel and office functions. Ownership and control arrangements became complicated after Howard Holdings entered administration in 2010, and the competing interests of the Whitgift Foundation, leaseholders, financial stakeholders, Westfield and Hammerson contributed to prolonged uncertainty. Hammerson and Westfield formed a joint venture in 2013 to pursue the redevelopment of Whitgift and Centrale. Croydon Council approved the scheme in November that year, but projected construction dates were repeatedly revised. Concerns about the changing retail environment, Brexit, structural changes in the high street, financing and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic all contributed to delays. By early 2020 the project was reported to be under review. The uncertainty affected trader confidence and was associated with lower footfall and the departure of some occupiers. In 2023, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of Whitgift Centre and the nearby Centrale centre. The centre remains an active retail and commercial destination, although its long-term role is shaped by vacancy levels, changing consumer behaviour and the unresolved legacy of the redevelopment proposals. It has also appeared in British screen and popular culture, including the film All of Us Strangers and an episode of The IT Crowd.
History
The Whitgift Centre was developed in central Croydon during a period of extensive post-war redevelopment. Its site had been associated with Whitgift School and related educational use before the schools moved to new premises. The name commemorates John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is buried at nearby Croydon Minster. The land freehold was retained by the Whitgift Foundation, a charitable body, while development and leasehold interests were structured through commercial entities. Design work is associated with Anthony Minoprio, Geddes Architects and Fitzroy Robinson & Partners. Construction began in the mid-1960s and the centre opened in stages. Boots became the first retailer to open on 17 October 1968, while the formal opening took place in October 1970, conducted by the Duchess of Kent. For its first two decades the centre was substantially open-air. It included a Roman-themed pub known as The Forum, located in the central area. During the 1990s the centre underwent a near-comprehensive rebuilding that introduced an atrium-based configuration. The modern complex consists of three levels, with retail concentrated on the upper two floors and basement infrastructure providing vehicle access and servicing. The development also includes five office towers. Its scale made it a significant regional shopping destination and a longstanding symbol of Croydon's town centre. The centre's later history has been dominated by proposed regeneration. A scheme connected with Croydon Vision 2020 was developed during the 2000s, with an extension and wider remodelling initially expected to begin in 2009. Howard Holdings, which controlled a majority interest in the lease company, entered administration in 2010. Its interests and management arrangements subsequently involved Royal London Asset Management and the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. Westfield and Hammerson were invited to put forward competing redevelopment proposals in 2011. The Whitgift Foundation reached an agreement with Westfield, while the financial stakeholders preferred Hammerson. This conflict led to a consultation process and negotiations among the freeholder, leaseholders and prospective developers. The eventual compromise was a 2013 joint venture between Hammerson and Westfield. The proposed project would combine Whitgift and Centrale into a mixed-use scheme of roughly 200,000 square metres, potentially incorporating retail, leisure, housing, hotels and offices. Croydon Council approved the redevelopment proposal in November 2013, but the expected start and completion dates were repeatedly postponed. Timetables that anticipated construction in 2017, 2018 or 2019 did not materialise. In 2019 concerns included Brexit and structural changes affecting the high street; in 2020 the project was reported to be under review. The prolonged uncertainty contributed to tenant departures and weaker visitor performance, with the centre facing the broader pressures affecting traditional shopping centres. In 2023 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of both Whitgift Centre and Centrale. The centre continues to operate as a Croydon retail and commercial complex. It has also been used as a recognizable location in popular culture, including All of Us Strangers and The IT Crowd. Reference material additionally identifies later filming activity at the mall, but the long-term redevelopment and occupancy outlook remains dependent on future ownership and investment decisions.
- 2023
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield takes full ownership
[1]Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of Whitgift Centre and nearby Centrale.
- 2013
Whitgift-Centrale joint venture announced
[1]Hammerson and Westfield formed a joint venture to pursue a combined redevelopment of Whitgift Centre and Centrale.
- 2013
Redevelopment receives council approval
[1]Croydon Council approved the proposed redevelopment on 25 November 2013, subject to the remaining approval process.
- 2010
Howard Holdings enters administration
[1]Howard Holdings entered administration, complicating the ownership and management structure connected with the centre's leasehold.
- 1990
Atrium rebuilding
[1]During the 1990s the centre was substantially rebuilt around an atrium design.
- 1970
Official opening
[1]The centre was formally opened in October 1970 by the Duchess of Kent.
- 1968
First store opens
[1]Boots became the first retailer to open at the centre on 17 October 1968.
- 1965
Construction begins
[1]Construction of the shopping centre began during the mid-1960s redevelopment of central Croydon.
Products and positioning
A large urban shopping centre positioned as a central retail, services and commercial destination for Croydon and the wider South London catchment.
Shopping centre retail · 1968
Retail units
The centre provides a broad mix of leased retail premises serving fashion, footwear, beauty, health, food, general merchandise and consumer services. The offer is distributed across two principal retail floors within a three-storey complex.
Commercial property · 1970
Office accommodation
Five office towers rise above the shopping-centre structure, adding a commercial workplace component to the retail destination.
Shopping-centre infrastructure · 1970
Basement service network
The basement contains vehicle access and approximately one kilometre of service roads supporting deliveries and access to retail units.
Brand decisions
2023
Transfer of full ownership to Unibail-Rodamco-WestfieldM&ABackground
The ownership and redevelopment structure had involved the Whitgift Foundation, leasehold interests, Hammerson and Westfield.
Action taken
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield acquired full ownership of Whitgift Centre and Centrale.
Aftermath
The two neighbouring Croydon shopping centres came under common ownership, leaving future investment and redevelopment strategy with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.
2013
Combine Whitgift Centre with CentraleStrategyBackground
Whitgift and Centrale were operated as neighbouring major shopping centres, while stakeholders sought a larger response to competition and changing patterns of urban retail.
Action taken
Hammerson and Westfield established a joint venture to pursue a mixed-use redevelopment combining the two centres.
Aftermath
The scheme received council approval, but construction was repeatedly delayed and was later reported to be under review.
Recent events
TGJones plans to close its Whitgift Centre store[2]
Reported:
TGJones launched a closing-down sale at its store in Croydon's Whitgift Centre, which the article reports looks set to close.
Sources2 sources
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