Croydon's Centrale shopping centre is to be given a revamp in an attempt to attract more shoppers to the retail complex.

The modern designs for the front of the centre were given the go-ahead at a planning committee meeting last night.

St Martin's Property, which owns the land and the centre, applied to Croydon Council for permission to extend the North End frontage by 152 sq m.

Glass with green and blue panes will be illuminated and turn lilac and white during the night.

There will also be a large display screen featuring rotating advertisements and a facility to project images on to the side of the building from the Whitgift Centre.

Chris Francis said Centrale hoped the new frontage would make a "visual statement" about the centre.

He added: "St Martin's want this to be a scheme of excellence, we see this as a dynamic shop front that may be used elsewhere across the country, it could be a first for Croydon."

The improvements were approved unanimously by the planning committee. Councillor Vidhi Mohan said: "I think it is really important that we are bold and innovative in Croydon and we need to take the plunge with this scheme."

Councillor Russell Jackson added: "I really dislike the current frontage and think this could really work to not only improve the look of it but also the unsavoury and antisocial behaviour that is underneath the entrance at the moment."

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