A hotel, more offices and fewer parking spaces could all be part of revised plans for Croydon’s Westfield development.

But a date on when work will start has still not been confirmed.

Yesterday (Thursday, October 31), eight months since it was announced that the £1.4bn shopping centre is being reviewed, councillors met with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Hammerson who are behind the plans.

Croydon Council leader Tony Newman described it as a ‘productive and encouraging’ meeting.

 

Discussed was progress on the revised scheme. The proposals include a more offices and co-working spaces, a hotel and homes alongside retail.

The international company is also considering including fewer parking spaces as well as keeping some existing buildings – Which the council supports for sustainability reasons.

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Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council, said: “This was a productive and encouraging meeting.

“The new proposals look impressive, improve Croydon’s existing offer and crucially, are more sustainable and fit for the future. I look forward to the partnership being able to share more information with Croydon residents in the future.”

Uncertainty and delays have meant shops in the Whitgift Centre has been struggling, with many leaving or unwilling to invest in their businesses

The Croydon Partnership, which combines Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Hammerson, has agreed to invest and improve the town centre in the meantime.

A spokesperson for the partnership said: “We were encouraged by the council’s response to our initial thinking and appreciate their constructive approach to bringing a scheme forward, proving the direction we are moving in is the right one for Croydon.

“There is still much work to do to finalise this proposal and ensure it meets the future needs of retailers, residents and consumers, in a climate of continued economic and retail uncertainty.

“We hope to be able to share more progress soon.”