While failed Mayor Jason Perry congratulates Westfield on opening a handful of kiosks in Allders after 14 years, one residents’ association in the south of the borough is calling on its members and their neighbours to redirect their energy, and their consumer spend, to Croydon’s district centres.
Coming to a high street near you: Coulsdon is about to get its very own pilates studio
The Coulsdon West Residents’ Association made its call yesterday, as Perry and multibillion multinational Westfield were patting themselves on the back for managing to open the Allders kiosks, which have been paid for from the £6million “fine” levied on the developer for its failure to deliver the £1billion shopping mall it promised in 2012.
“With so much money and effort having been spent by the council (both Tory and Labour administrations) on failed attempts to regenerate the ghost town that is currently central Croydon, it is time to recognise that perhaps the future is in the satellite towns around it, and that more should be spent on helping them to grow,” an official at CWRA posted on social media.
The influential residents’ association, one of the largest and most active in Croydon, made the remarks as two new businesses are about to begin trading on the high street in Coulsdon.
“‘Good news on the high street’ is a rare headline these days, but there’s cause for celebrations in Coulsdon,” the CWRA posted.
“Two previously vacant sites will soon be opening up for new business, and a big name that has been part of the community since the 1970s has heavily invested in a refurbishment that underlines their commitment to the town and belief that continued trade will support that decision.”
The CWRA was referring to new arrivals Costa Coffee and Core 6 Studios, plus long-term Coulsdon presence Waitrose, which has undergone a bit of an update.
Looking up: residents in Coulsdon want more focus on district centres
What was previously The Light Cafe and tattooists Notorious Ink is being readied for Core 6 Studios, while the former Andrews Estate Agents is soon to be trading as a Costa Coffee outlet.
“They’ve been actively recruiting for staff to run it,” CWRA says.
“While we still have some empty shops in and around central Coulsdon, the signs are positive, and it is to be hoped that the newcomers help to bring more people into the town, and so support our independents such as Cozy Glow, Puzzle Kitchens, Woods Jewellers and many others.”
Might a Coulsdon independent business emulate the national success of Costa Coffee?
CWRA suggests that it might be possible. “In 1981, Sergio and Bruno Costa opened their first ‘Costa’ coffee shop on the Vauxhall Bridge Road. Now look at them.
“Our independents can succeed too, with our help.
“With so much money and effort having been spent by the Council (both Tory and Labour administrations) on failed attempts to regenerate the ghost town that is currently central Croydon, its time to recognise that perhaps the future is in the satellite towns around it, and that more should be spent on helping them to grow.”
Read more: Planning application for Westfield scheme stalled to mid-2026
Read more: Another Whitgift store to close – and manager blames Westfield
Read more: Five Guys is latest business to give up on Croydon High Street
Read more: Perry allows Westfield to spend £6m ‘fine’ on own interests
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Costa’s arrival is not necessarily good news for Coulsdon’s brilliant local coffee shops like Bliss and Grumpy Goose. Shops like these need our support. Costa is a national chain, as we know, so it’s never going to be a local. I know where my next double ristretto venti half-soy nonfat decaf organic is coming from.
Costa Limited has been 100% owned by the Coca Cola company for over 6 years, so it’s not just a national chain, it’s also part of an evil global corporation.
Coke paid Whitbread around £3.9 billion pounds for the company, but after it recently slumped to a pre-tax loss of £9.6m, they have put it up for sale for less than half that. It’s not only Croydon council that can muck things up