The article illustrates the decline of the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, highlighting the loss of over 50 shops and a general sentiment of despair among locals. Shoppers lament the once-vibrant atmosphere, replaced by emptiness and a lack of renovations. Interviews with residents and visitors reveal frustrations over the extended waiting period for revitalization efforts, further exacerbated by online shopping's dominance. Key individuals expressed that Croydon is becoming a 'ghost town,' signaling urgent concerns for the shopping centre's future and economic vitality.
"Back in the day, this place was packed, you'd see people everywhere. Now, a lot of those shops are gone, and you can feel the emptiness. It's like the heart of it is missing."
"We came to Croydon for a coffee, but Costa Coffee is shut. We saw a sign for a place here, but that was shut too...it's still the same quite frankly, except there's a few more places gone."
"This place is a ghost town. This place is dying. More and more shops are vanishing...I rarely come in here now."
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