Creating a more cosmopolitan Croydon could be one step closer if shop opening hours are extended to 7pm.

It is hoped the move will prompt more of Croydon's 25,000 commuters to indulge in retail therapy after work and encourage them to stick around to sample some of the town's night-time entertainment.

The proposal, currently being considered by Croydon's Town Centre Management (TCM), aims to alleviate the lull in the town's atmosphere when the shops shut, providing a link between retail and hospitality sectors.

It is part of an overall plan hoping to mirror the success of Kent's retailing mecca Bluewater.

David Parham, manager of the new £100m Centrale shopping centre which completed its first phase this week, said: "Retailers want to give people the choice of shopping after work by staying open until 7pm.

"There is certainly a need for this which has been identified. It can help with the town's evening economy, hopefully people who shop here after work will want to stay and have something to eat and visit the cinema.

"You can't help but look at the success of Bluewater. The shops there stay open much later and people go there for the day to shop, eat and see a film.

"It is that experience that we want to create in Croydon as well."

Residents, shoppers and businesses are being asked what they think about the proposed 7pm extension. A free prize draw of £250 of Allders vouchers is being offered to those who respond as an incentive.

Send your views to tonyh@croydon.marketing.com, drop them in at the Whitgift Centre's Information Point or post them to Tony Hart, CMD, 5th Floor, Park House, 22 Park Street, Croydon CR0 1YE by this Friday, May 30.

May 30, 2003 09:30