House of Fraser to move into Centrale

9:45am Wednesday 31st January 2001

Croydons shopping economy received another boost last week with news that House of Fraser is to become the anchor store for the new Centrale shopping centre in North End.

The deal, which was secured last week by the St Martins Property group, will see the department store giant trading from three of the centres four levels and is expected to be open in late 2004. The construction work will include the integration of the already-existing Drummond Shopping Centre with the whole development branded as Centrale.

Securing House of Fraser is a major coup for St Martins, with Debenhams already lined up for the development.

House of Fraser chief executive John Coleman said of the new store, which will be designed in the contemporary style used in a recently-opened Oxford Street store: We are delighted to have signed this agreement for Croydon, a market that we believe holds great opportunities for us. This is a prime retail site in Croydon and the plans for the Centrale shopping centre reflect the high level of quality that we at House of Fraser are committed to offering our customers.

Developers anticipate the Centrale scheme, which can accommodate up to eight large stores supported by about 30 retail units, will lead to the creation of 1,000 full and part-time jobs.

And planning approval has now been given for a combined bus and tram stop to be built in Tamworth Road alongside the planned Centrale six-storey curved glazed entrance.

St Martins bosses are confident the entrance will become a significant gateway to Croydons retail area and say 1,000 car parking spaces will provide ample parking for all shoppers.

St Martins UK project director Michael Durrant said: For some time the town has been seen as a rough diamond and Centrale aims to bring a definite sparkle back to the retail element.

It is well known that other developers may be planning further retail schemes in Croydon.

However, with House of Frasers decision to take Centrales anchor store, we are the only developer committed to proceed. Construction will start in February, 2001, and the centre could be open as early as Easter, 2003.

Explore News Shopper