A second retail giant has thrown its hat in the ring to redevelop the Whitgift Centre.

Hammerson, which owns Centrale shopping centre in the town centre, has announced it is looking to buy a stake in the centre.

It follows Australian developer Westfield’s announcement it was in “exclusive talks” with the Whitgift Foundation about being the redevelopment partner.

Part-owners Royal London Asset Management and NAMA had expressed their shock at not being included in the initial talks.

They have hired Jones Lang LaSalle to advise on the "strategic development options" for the centre.

Jones Lang LaSalle said it will approach a "number of potential partners, each of which will be invited to submit proposals for the redevelopment".

Hammerson has announced it wants to be part of those plans and has launched a bid for a stake in the Whitgift with the idea of combining the two shopping malls.

A spokesman from Hammerson said: “We have invested £100 million in purchasing Centrale and are now investing another £50 million to improve it to 21st century retail standards.

“In addition we are planning to bid for a stake in the Whitgift Centre, so that we may participate in a coordinated redevelopment of the Centre as part of Corydon's overall retail offer.

“No matter what the outcome, we will work closely with all parties involved to make sure that Croydon gets the opportunity it deserves and becomes once again a top 10 UK retail destination."

And this week the council denied it was looking at using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to make sure a deal will go through.

Croydon Council is desperate to ensure the proposed development goes ahead, with the promise of millions of pounds in investment and the draw of the only Westfield in south London likely to increase footfall in the town centre.

An Evening Standard article speculated it was looking at the possibility of using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to buy the centre and force through a deal, which it has denied.

It took a similar path when it became partners with Minerva to redevelop St George’s Walk under its Park Place scheme.

But the plans fell through after Minerva suffered financial difficulties, with the council terminating its agreement in 2009.

The acquisition of Steven Yewman, previously Minerva’s project director in Croydon and a director for Croydon’s Business Improvement District, by Westfield to help in their Whitgift bid has fuelled speculation Park Place could be involved in any development.

That would fit with Westfield’s preference for large sites, and the council has already acquired most of that site.

Allders, whose site is owned by Minerva, is also touted to be involved in the Westfield plan, with the combination of all three creating a site larger than Westfield Stratford, the biggest urban shopping centre in Europe when built.

The final decision on who will take on the redevelopment will be announced in the new year.