Proposals for Centrale include the partial demolition, alteration and extension of the shopping centre to provide space to build a new cinema, retail units and food space.
Hammerson has already secured American cinema brand National Amusements as a pre-let for the extension. The 11-screen cinema will create a new leisure anchor tenant for Centrale and will be National Amusements’ first venture in London.
The Centrale shopping centre is owned by Hammerson, which purchased the centre in March 2011 with the intention of transforming retail and leisure in the town.
Hammerson was recently selected as the preferred partner for the management and redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre by Royal London Asset Management and IBRC Assurance Company.
“I am delighted with the positive decision from the Council. Hammerson has worked hard over the past year to develop a scheme which will significantly enhance Croydon’s evening economy and create a new leisure destination for the town,” said Lawrence Hutchings, managing director of Hammerson.
The site covers 696,000 square feet and currently includes 80 retail units and department store anchors Debenhams and House of Fraser. The proposed scheme, designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, plans to reconfigure 142,000 sq ft of the internal retail space and create a family-friendly leisure quarter.
Work is expected to start in early 2013 with the new leisure and restaurant quarter open in Autumn 2014.
