The chief executive of the department store replacing Allders has revealed a host of designer brands are on board for the venture.
The historic store is being replaced by Croydon Village Outlet, which has taken over the 530,000 sq ft retail space and is due to open on September 19, with a big celebrity being lined up to unveil the store.
Marco Cash, the chief executive of the outlet, said everything is on track to open on time, with 99 per cent of concession space sold – although he said he was struggling to get local businesses on board.
Last month the businessman said the aim was to get a host of top designers in place at the store and it looks like he has delivered on his promise.
Armani, Gucci and Versace are already on board along with a number of well-known high street brands.
There is also going to be an international food hall in the basement that Mr Cash wants local food traders to get involved with.
Some of the food stalls opening in the 32,000sq ft space includes a chocolatier from Brussels, a Dutch baking company, and a patisserie outlet from Paris among many others.
There are also some top restaurants involved including Aqua Eight, a Chinese restaurant that came runner-up in the Observer best place to eat awards in 2011.
He said: “It is proving quite difficult to find some local businesses to get involved. We would dearly love some more local produce to be on sale.
“It is all very exciting. It is basically a hybrid of Borough Market, Selfridges and Harrods. Although it won’t be at Harrods prices.”
In January, retail giants Westfield and Hammerson announced a £1bn joint venture to redevelop the Whitgift Centre and surrounding area.
Croydon Village and site landlords Minerva are among 200 freeholders and leaseholders potentially affected by the £1bn regeneration plans that received requisition letters last month.
John Burton, Westfield’s director of development, said the discount outlet store has no place in the £1bn redevelopment of the town centre. But Mr Cash again insisted this week the store is here to stay.
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