Apparently the Centrale shopping centre (which only opened in 2004) is
to be merged with the Whitgift Centre. I think this will probably create
the largest shopping centre in the UK, since the combined area of the
current centres is only just short of the Metro Centre in Newcastle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41983441

This page suggests that East Croydon may gain a fourth pair of NR platforms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydo...#Train_Station

The page also talks about lengthening tram platforms at West Croydon,
although I couldn't quite find enough info to make sense of that. I
would have imagined that all the tram platforms are the same length, and
there would be no point in lengthening one unless you lengthen them all.

Bad news for Croydon. The Whitgift Centre has for years been blighted by Westfield's plans. Getting on for half of the shops are closed, with more every time I go there. There's nothing much wrong with the place which couldn't be fixed by some minor refurbishment, fixing some leaks in the roof, some of which have been there for years, for example, and a bit of paint.

We already have two Westfield centres in London, they mainly sell things like expensive designer clothes, which are not something which most people buy very often, if ever. They don't seem to attract shops selling everyday things. There's a not very good Sainsbury's in the Whitgift Centre, but rather than improving that it will almost certainly be absent from the new Westfield.

A large hole was made in the centre of Bradfield years ago for Westfield to build a new centre there, put the plans were then put on hold, leaving a large empty space. The Broadway Centre was eventually built, opening a couple of years ago, but the Westfield name doesn't seem to be anywhere on it.

On 2017-11-15 09:10:04 +0000, Basil Jet said:

Apparently the Centrale shopping centre (which only opened in 2004) is
to be merged with the Whitgift Centre. I think this will probably
create the largest shopping centre in the UK, since the combined area
of the current centres is only just short of the Metro Centre in
Newcastle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41983441

This page suggests that East Croydon may gain a fourth pair of NR platforms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydo...#Train_Station

The page also talks about lengthening tram platforms at West Croydon,
although I couldn't quite find enough info to make sense of that. I
would have imagined that all the tram platforms are the same length,
and there would be no point in lengthening one unless you lengthen them
all.

I'd imagine that will be a relatively good thing - Croydon high street
and both shopping centres are abject dumps (particularly the Whitgift
which needs knocking down).

Neil
--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

On 2017-11-15 09:45:59 +0000, said:

Bad news for Croydon. The Whitgift Centre has for years been blighted
by Westfield's plans. Getting on for half of the shops are closed,
with more every time I go there. There's nothing much wrong with the
place which couldn't be fixed by some minor refurbishment, fixing some
leaks in the roof, some of which have been there for years, for
example, and a bit of paint.

It's an absolute rathole in every possible way and needs pulling down.

We already have two Westfield centres in London, they mainly sell
things like expensive designer clothes, which are not something which
most people buy very often, if ever. They don't seem to attract shops
selling everyday things. There's a not very good Sainsbury's in the
Whitgift Centre, but rather than improving that it will almost
certainly be absent from the new Westfield.

Realistically who completes a full supermarket shop in a town centre
these days? An out of town supermarket and a Sainsburys Local (there
is already one near the station) will do better I reckon.

A large hole was made in the centre of Bradfield years ago for
Westfield to build a new centre there, put the plans were then put on
hold, leaving a large empty space. The Broadway Centre was eventually
built, opening a couple of years ago, but the Westfield name doesn't
seem to be anywhere on it.

Bradford.

Neil
--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

On 15/11/2017 09:45, wrote:
Bad news for Croydon. The Whitgift Centre has for years been blighted by Westfield's plans. Getting on for half of the shops are closed, with more every time I go there. There's nothing much wrong with the place which couldn't be fixed by some minor refurbishment, fixing some leaks in the roof, some of which have been there for years, for example, and a bit of paint.

We already have two Westfield centres in London, they mainly sell things like expensive designer clothes, which are not something which most people buy very often, if ever. They don't seem to attract shops selling everyday things. There's a not very good Sainsbury's in the Whitgift Centre, but rather than improving that it will almost certainly be absent from the new Westfield.

I am one of many people who make frequent use of the large M&S and John
Lewis/Waitrose stores which anchor the 2 ends of Westfield in Stratford
for things other than designer clothes. And also use from time to time
stores such as Boots, WH Smiths, Argos, Cotswold Outdoor and Lakeland.
It can be a bit of a pain having to negotiate the fashionistas with
shoes and nails capable of inflicting life-changing injuries (especially
when they are walking 4 abreast) but life's rarely perfect.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On Wednesday, 15 November 2017 09:46:00 UTC, wrote:

Bad news for Croydon. The Whitgift Centre has for years been blighted by Westfield's plans. Getting on for half of the shops are closed, with more every time I go there.

I had never heard of the Tricorn centre, Portsmouth, until last month.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorn_Centre
A huge concrete shopping centre that opened in c1966 and was demolished in 2004.

In article ,
() wrote:

Bad news for Croydon. The Whitgift Centre has for years been
blighted by Westfield's plans. Getting on for half of the shops are
closed, with more every time I go there. There's nothing much wrong
with the place which couldn't be fixed by some minor refurbishment,
fixing some leaks in the roof, some of which have been there for
years, for example, and a bit of paint.

We already have two Westfield centres in London, they mainly sell
things like expensive designer clothes, which are not something which
most people buy very often, if ever. They don't seem to attract
shops selling everyday things. There's a not very good Sainsbury's
in the Whitgift Centre, but rather than improving that it will almost
certainly be absent from the new Westfield.

A large hole was made in the centre of Bradfield years ago for
Westfield to build a new centre there, put the plans were then put on
hold, leaving a large empty space. The Broadway Centre was
eventually built, opening a couple of years ago, but the Westfield
name doesn't seem to be anywhere on it.

The rag trade seem to be the bread and butter tenants of modern shopping
centres, providing the best rental income to sustain them. Look at
Cambridge's Grand Arcade. Nothing to do with Westfield but heavily loaded
with shops full of things which you'd think people wouldn't buy very often.
In these days of internet shopping that's how retail survives, I was told
when I was the councillor in charge of the development.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

On 2017\11\15 11:31, Offramp wrote:
On Wednesday, 15 November 2017 09:46:00 UTC, wrote:

Bad news for Croydon. The Whitgift Centre has for years been blighted by Westfield's plans. Getting on for half of the shops are closed, with more every time I go there.

I had never heard of the Tricorn centre, Portsmouth, until last month.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorn_Centre
A huge concrete shopping centre that opened in c1966 and was demolished in 2004.

The world's largest shopping centre has been largely deserted ever since
it was built...

https://www.iol.co.za/business-repor...lephant-729495

"Basil Jet" wrote in message
news

Apparently the Centrale shopping centre (which only opened in 2004) is to
be merged with the Whitgift Centre. I think this will probably create the
largest shopping centre in the UK, since the combined area of the current
centres is only just short of the Metro Centre in Newcastle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41983441

This page suggests that East Croydon may gain a fourth pair of NR
platforms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydo...#Train_Station


"It said it would "cement Croydon's reputation as one of the best
destinations in the capital to live, work and play"

provided that you don't mind ignoring the law about carrying a knife with
you, that is

tim

On 2017-11-15 13:27:44 +0000, tim... said:

"Basil Jet" wrote in message
news

Apparently the Centrale shopping centre (which only opened in 2004) is
to be merged with the Whitgift Centre. I think this will probably
create the largest shopping centre in the UK, since the combined area
of the current centres is only just short of the Metro Centre in
Newcastle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41983441

This page suggests that East Croydon may gain a fourth pair of NR platforms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydo...#Train_Station


"It said it would "cement Croydon's reputation as one of the best
destinations in the capital to live, work and play"

provided that you don't mind ignoring the law about carrying a knife
with you, that is

Is it compulsory? My friends from Croydon didn't tell me about that.
Perhaps I should trust them less.

Sam

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