Allders Name Makes a Comeback to Revitalize Croydon Town Centre

The Return of a Local Legend

The iconic Allders name is making a triumphant return to Croydon town centre—more than a decade after the original department store closed its doors. This week, a new collection of shops and cafés, dubbed Allders Parade, will launch in the historic building that once housed Britain's third largest department store.

A Bit of History

Allders first opened its doors in Croydon back in 1862, and its closure in 2013 marked a significant downturn for the town's retail landscape. The building briefly housed pop-up shops as Croydon Village Outlet, but that venture also met its demise in 2019.

A New Dawn for Croydon

In recent years, investment has flooded into Croydon, spearheaded by the regeneration of its ageing shopping malls, Centrale and Whitgift. The changes are orchestrated by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the shopping centre operator behind the malls in Shepherds Bush and Stratford, in a partnership with Croydon council.

What to Expect

The debut shops include Miniso, a retailer specializing in household goods and cosmetics. Following closely, women’s clothing brand Abaci, florist Isle of Flowers, and local café Coco & Nut will set up shop, alongside Meltin’ Moments, an ice cream shop that once delighted customers in the original Allders.

Statements from Local Leaders

Adam Smith, the strategic development director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, remarked, “The launch of Allders Parade is a fundamental step in The Croydon Project’s revitalization. We’re thrilled to welcome these fantastic brands this Autumn.” Croydon Mayor Jason Perry echoed this sentiment, expressing his excitement about bringing a mix of quality local and global businesses back to the town centre.