UK REIT Hammerson has submitted a detailed planning application to the London Borough of Croydon for the redevelopment of Centrale shopping centre.

UK REIT Hammerson has submitted a detailed planning application to the London Borough of Croydon for the redevelopment of Centrale shopping centre.

Hammerson purchased the centre in March 2011 having identified an opportunity to transform the town's shopping offer.

The submitted proposals represent the first phase of Hammerson's project for Croydon and include redesigning a significant section of the internal retail space and creating a family-friendly leisure quarter. Designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, the proposals involve the creation of two flagship retails units alongside new restaurants, and a multi-screen cinema.

The 64,700-m² scheme is home to 80 retail units including department store anchors Debenhams and House of Fraser, and attracts over 12 million consumers per year.

Subject to the planning process, work could commence in early 2013 with the new leisure and restaurant quarter open in autumn 2014.