Fed-up residents are calling for the demolition of a deserted shopping center featured in a new Taylor Swift music video due to the lack of open stores. The Whitgift Centre in Croydon, once a bustling retail hub, has deteriorated over the years, causing disappointment among locals who now prefer shopping elsewhere. During a recent visit by Mirror reporters, the center appeared mostly empty, with visitors expressing dismay at its current state.
Many of the retail units were closed, and the aging roof had leaks that required buckets to catch dripping rainwater. Long-time residents like Marilyn Demmen reminisced about the center’s vibrant past but lamented its current condition, stating that it no longer attracts shoppers and is driving people away from Croydon.
Security personnel at the center highlighted ongoing challenges, including dealing with disruptive individuals seeking to exploit the empty premises for personal gain. Complicated ownership arrangements have contributed to the center’s decline, with changing hands impacting promised redevelopment plans. Despite public consultations on the center’s future, concrete actions have yet to materialize.
Local residents, like Martin and Jim Attwood, expressed disappointment in the center’s deterioration, citing years of mismanagement and lack of investment. Although the center briefly gained attention for its appearance in Taylor Swift’s music video, community members remain divided on its future. Some, like Charlene Charles, view the celebrity presence as a potential opportunity to revitalize the area, while others advocate for its demolition.
The uncertain fate of the Whitgift Centre underscores the challenges faced by the local community, with differing opinions on whether to restore or demolish the struggling shopping destination. The Mirror has reached out to Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield for further insights on the center’s situation.
