TerriBull
Croydon was definitely Surrey once and parts of it still are, Addington, Selsdon, Sanderstead, Purley some of those outlying areas for example. It's like many places there are two sides to it. I certainly remember it as a great shopping centre, there was once a huge Habitat in the centre of town, which I loved to browse in and The Fairfield Halls was a great concert venue, I saw a few famous acts there, Elton John for one back in his heyday and also remember going to an art exhibition there. I hear the town is not what it was once, quite depleted in fact. I believe some of that is due to a new Westfield opening, like London needs another, both East and West London have one each already. These places suck the guts out of the high street imo.
David Lean the film director was born and grew up in Croydon, and I remember in an interview, describing it as a genteel place to grow up!
Westfield is no longer coming to Croydon.
Croydon was a wonderful shopping centre years ago, with Allders, Kennards, Grants, Debenhams etc. All of which are long gone. There is so much knife crime and other criminal activity now in Croydon that I feel unsafe to go into the centre as do many of my friends. It is such a shame
