Croydon Allders Parade Shops ‘Too Niche’ – Poll 2026

Key Points

• A recent poll indicates that almost half of voters consider the shops at Allders Parade in Croydon town centre “too niche or random”.​
• Allders Parade consists of six kiosks developed by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) on the facade of the former Allders department store, which closed in 2013.​
• The shops opened in phases from late September 2025, with the final kiosk, Meltin’ Memories, opening in late December 2025.​
• Confirmed tenants include Miniso (lifestyle products), Sky (digital media), Isle of Flowers (florist), Abaci (women’s clothing), Coco and Nut (café), and Meltin’ Moments (ice cream).​
• Residents offer mixed reactions: some praise the brightening effect, while others decry it as a “shambles” inadequate compared to the original Allders.​
• The project faced delays, opening months late with only six of seven planned units allocated.​
• Croydon Mayor Jason Perry promoted the scheme, but critics highlight unfulfilled promises from URW over 13 years.​
• URW marketing manager Dominique Stagg described it as a “vibrant new retail” enhancing Centrale and Whitgift.​
• Background includes scrapped plans for a major shopping centre and the 2019 closure of pop-up shops in the Allders building.

Croydon (South London News) March 12, 2026 – A new poll has exposed significant dissatisfaction among Croydon voters with the recently opened Allders Parade shops, deemed “too niche or random” by nearly half of respondents, amid mixed resident reactions to the development on the site of the town’s former landmark department store.

The Allders Parade, a strip of six kiosks unveiled by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), aimed to revitalise North End in Croydon town centre following years of stagnation. Despite hopes of injecting new life into the area, the poll underscores a perception that the outlets fail to meet broader shopping needs.

What is Allders Parade?

Allders Parade represents URW’s effort to repurpose the ground floor frontage of the derelict Allders department store building at numbers 2 to 28 North End. The site has lain largely vacant since Allders closed in 2013, with a brief stint as the Croydon Village Outlet pop-ups evicted by council bailiffs in 2019.​

Planning permission for seven kiosks as a “meanwhile use” was granted swiftly last summer, funded partly by fines on URW for past delays. However, the project launched months late, with only six units confirmed.​

As announced by URW marketing manager Dominique Stagg in a note to Whitgift and Centrale tenants,

“We are pleased to share some exciting news for Croydon town centre: the historic Allders building on North End is being brought back to life as Allders Parade – a new parade of shops that will enhance the offer alongside Centrale and Whitgift.”

She added,

“The North End frontage of the building has been sensitively refurbished, creating four new shops and two food and beverage units. This development will introduce a mix of local, regional and national retailers, providing a fresh boost of activity and confidence in Croydon’s future.”​

Stagg further stated,

“This is an important milestone for Unibail Rodamco Westfield as they continue to invest in Croydon, creating vibrant retail, leisure and community spaces. We look forward to welcoming these new tenants and the additional footfall they will bring to North End and the wider town centre.”​

Which Shops Have Opened at Allders Parade?

The kiosks opened in phases starting 26 September 2025. The initial outlets were Miniso, a global lifestyle store offering toys, tech, stationery, and homeware, and Sky, a national digital media provider.

Subsequent additions included Abaci, a women’s clothing brand specialising in Turkish-manufactured hijabs and Islamic attire described as a “fashion retailer,” and Isle of Flowers, a London-based florist. Coco and Nut, an independent café with a branch in Sanderstead, and Meltin’ Moments (also referred to as Meltin’ Memories), an ice cream shop originally from the old Allders, completed the lineup, with the latter opening in late December 2025.

As reported by Steven Downes of Inside Croydon, these tenants – Sky, Miniso, Isle of Flowers, Coco and Nut, Melting Moments, and Abaci – were confirmed after delays, with just two ready by the Friday launch and others following fortnightly through October 2025.​

Croydon BID highlighted the mix:

“Allders Parade has introduced a range of new stores and will soon welcome dining options to Croydon town centre.”​

What Do the Poll Results Show?

The latest poll, as revealed in Yahoo News UK, shows

“almost half of voters think shops at the new Allders Parade in Croydon town centre are ‘too niche or random’.”

This sentiment echoes broader frustrations over the offering’s perceived mismatch with everyday needs.​

Commenters on Inside Croydon polls described it as

“a little unfair as it only allows extreme ends of potential viewpoints,”

with one noting, “Primarily I am disappointed that this has taken so long but if it improves the look of the Allders building then it’s better than nothing.” Another quipped,

“I would like to hear an explanation from pp Perry of why it has taken so long to get this organised.”​

Steven Downes of Inside Croydon critiqued,

“And instead of seven kiosks in operation, Westfield – now trading as the Paris-based Unibail Rodamco Westfield – have named just six. Of which just two will be ready for business later this week.”​

How Have Croydon Residents Reacted?

Reactions from locals, as gathered by South Londoner journalists, are polarised.​

Anne Constable, 68, a 40-year Croydon resident and former Allders employee, said:

“I think it’s really nice. I used to work in Allders and sadly it’s now closed, but these shops have brightened up Croydon quite a bit. I think it’s lost a lot of shops, which is very sad – Croydon was buzzing back in the 70s and 80s.”​

Mr Atkinson, 63, another ex-Allders worker of 12 years, commented:

“I think it’s a good thing to keep people coming. We need to keep the streets open and the internet, as much as it’s very good, is killing the high-street.”

He added that for people like him who sit at home most of the time,

“the shops give them a reason to get out and talk to people.”​

Sarah, 34, expressed:

“You can see people’s businesses closed to make way for Westfield, and it never materialised. I would like to see the spark back, the light back into Croydon the way it used to be – it would bring back so much to the community.”​

Emmanuel, 36, a recent central Croydon mover lured by Westfield promises, said:

“We were waiting for this for some time and we didn’t know what was going to happen, so it’s good.”

He voiced disappointment:

“I was disappointed with the wait for only six shops and the promise of a large-scale Westfield that never happened.”​

Cynthia Arighore, 60, a 20-year area resident, was scathing:

“I think it’s absolutely shambles and the shops that are open are not equivalent to what was there originally. We need something much better and help the communities so people don’t go too far for shopping.”

She elaborated, if larger developments delivered:

“That would be far much better than just a flower shop, cake shop and all of that.”​

Online, Inside Croydon readers lamented:

“They do not seem to have the town’s interest in mind with these kiosks. Another convenience store? Who is buying flowers down there. Short sighted to say the least.”

Another foresaw issues:

“With Miniso I can see that get looted to high heaven though. That may be a bad location.”​

Why Were There Delays in Opening Allders Parade?

Steven Downes of Inside Croydon reported:

“Months late, and with only six of the seven units allocated, Westfield is finally about to find a use for part of the town centre’s former department store.”

No explanation was provided for the delays or the missing seventh kiosk.​

This follows URW scrapping grander plans for a shopping centre to rival Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford branches. Planning applications for mixed-use retail, social spaces, and housing were due by 2024 but pushed to mid-2026, per Inside Croydon.

Croydon Council notes in Our Croydon magazine:

“recent reopening of part of the old Allders building with six new shops and food spots, called Allders Parade.”​

What is the History of the Allders Site?

The Allders department store shuttered in 2013 after decades as a town centre staple. Post-closure, it hosted pop-up shops until 2019 eviction. URW’s involvement stems from over a decade of regeneration pledges under The Croydon Project and Masterplan Framework.

As per Reddit discussions on r/croydon,

“URW launches ‘Allders Parade’, announcing 6 new shops opening from Friday on Croydon high street… paying homage to Croydon’s retail history with a mix of both international and local brands.”​

What Role Has Croydon Council and Mayor Jason Perry Played?

Mayor Jason Perry has championed the project. In July 2025, he stated,

“This autumn, seven new units will open in the refurbished shopfront.”

His office promotes town centre surveys for regeneration input.

Steven Downes of Inside Croydon criticised:

“Croydon’s increasingly desperate Mayor, piss-poor Jason Perry, who has been leading guided tours of gawping property speculators behind the hoardings.”

Perry’s efforts tie into the Croydon Growth Plan and Town Centre Vision.

Council-led works complement this, including pedestrian crossings and street improvements.​

What Are the Broader Implications for Croydon Town Centre?

The poll and reactions highlight ongoing struggles: high street decline, online retail competition, and unfulfilled mega-projects. Positive spins from URW contrast with cynicism over “13 years of broken promises.”

Centrale and Whitgift improvements continue alongside, but footfall boosts remain uncertain. As one resident put it, “Croydon was buzzing back in the 70s and 80s.” Reviving that era may demand more than kiosks.