Croydon town centre’s empty shops have been a talking point for years, particularly following the well-documented struggles inside the Whitgift Centre.
When we last visited in October 2025, more than 70 units inside the shopping centre stood vacant.
This time, I decided to focus solely on Croydon High Street itself - not the shopping centres, but the main stretch running from the corner of George Street down towards Ruskin Road.
Starting at the George Street end, I walked slowly, counting each clearly empty unit along the high street.
I stopped once I reached Ruskin Road.
By that point, I had counted 11 vacant shops, and that figure does not include any units inside the Whitgift or Centrale shopping centres.
The George Street end appeared to fare slightly better, with fewer boarded-up fronts and steady footfall from commuters and shoppers.
However, the closer I walked towards the Whitgift Centre end, the more “To Let” and “For Sale” signs began to appear.
Several well-known names have left noticeable gaps.
Former branches of Holland & Barrett, Three and Stacks were among the empty units I counted, alongside a shuttered H&M store, which has since relocated inside the Whitgift Centre.
There were also smaller units standing vacant, including a derelict restaurant called Everyday’s, its faded signage still fixed above darkened windows.
While 11 empty units are certainly visible, the high street did not feel deserted.
Shoppers moved between Primark, Zara and JD, and cafés and takeaway spots continued to attract customers.
The empty units are difficult to ignore, particularly nearer the Whitgift end, but they sit alongside businesses that are still trading and drawing in footfall.
