Openings

There are three new food places since our last blog post! Vegan cafe Buttercream Dreams is based on the ground floor of Project B at 3–7 Middle Street, and serves cakes and drinks as well as daily-changing savoury options such as Hungarian stew, pizza, and sausage roll with home-made beans.

Moj Y Moj at 63–65 High Street serves halal burgers and paratha rolls including vegetarian options. Somewhat less excitingly, a branch of Chicken Cottage has opened at 65 Church Street.

Other interesting new openings include Incensed (UK) Ltd at 19a St George’s Walk, selling candles, incense, crystals, and books; and a haberdashery and knitting shop called B Fashions at 11 Whitgift Centre.

The Whitgift Centre has also had several other new openings recently: a couple of homewares shops called Stacks (Units 8–9) and Inside Out (Units 98–99), two clothes shops called Krisp (Units 117–118) and The Market Boutique (Unit 66), and a vape shop called Evapo (Unit 158).

Finally, a beauty salon called Beautylicious has opened at 9 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road; an anonymous shop selling mobile phones, watches, and bags has opened at 168 North End; another mobile phone shop called Mobiles & Bitz has opened at 5 Crown Hill; and a minicab firm called Courier Cars has opened a branch at 22 South End, expanding from their original location near Norbury Station.

Closures

Balancing out the abovementioned food-related openings, Montien Thai Restaurant at 1078–1079 Whitgift Centre, Mirch Masala at 40–42 South End, and Bloomers Bakery at 20e Selsdon Road have all closed.

Amidst much sadness (see many articles in the local press for details), Tiger Tiger at 16 High Street has closed.

Avers at 32 North End has also closed, though is likely less missed, given that it only opened last autumn; and Arthur Hayes Optometrists has closed its branch at 1070 Whitgift Centre (its East Grinstead practice remains open).

Coming soon

A Mediterranean bar and restaurant called The Meze Lounge is due to open at 65 South End within the next 2–3 weeks. This is under the same management as Playground next door.

The long-vacant premises at 75–77 High Street have been granted planning permission for use as a “tech hub” including office space and a cafe, possibly to be called The Click.

43 St George’s Walk is under refurbishment to open as a business called Luso. We don’t yet know what sort of thing this will be. Next door, 45 St George’s Walk appears to be in the process of reopening as a wedding dress shop.

Other news

A beauty salon called Lava opened last month at 74 London Road, replacing Finjan coffee shop and cafe. However, it seems to have closed again — whether this is permanent or temporary, we’re not sure. Similarly, a clothes shop called Kranti opened in Unit 93, Whitgift Centre, but has now closed again; the unit is vacant and stripped out.

After a brief period hosting a mock auction, Portre at 30 North End is once more trading as a clothes shop.

Home Living, previously at 34–36 North End, is now at 94–95 Whitgift Centre.

Several places have rebranded and/or relaunched. The most prominent of these is probably Reflex at 18 High Street, which has relaunched under the name of Luna. In addition, GNC at 1034 Whitgift Centre is now called MET-Rx, the Morrisons M Local branch at 6a Lansdowne Road is now known as My Local, and Shoppers Amusements at 71 North End has changed its name to Admiral.

Openings

A Polish delicatessen called Mleczko has opened at 68 High Street (previously Black Sheep Bar). This is the first South London outpost of an established West London chain, and its opening in Croydon has been accompanied by something of an advertising blitz, with posters at tram stops, on buses, and alongside roads.

A sweet shop called American Candy has opened at Unit 63, Centrale, unsurprisingly specialising in American sweets but also stocking a few savoury things as well as some very Scottish-looking treats. Un-Americanly, it is cash only.

Yet another mobile phone accessories shop has opened at 1 Derby Road. It seems not to have its own sign yet, so can be found under that of its predecessor, Jewellery World. (It also, for some reason, sells popcorn.)

Finally, a bakery and cafe called Brews & Bakes has opened at 20e Selsdon Road (previously Bloomers Bakery).

Closures

Gelattiamo at 187 London Road has closed, but the premises are being refitted to open as a “vape & coffee shop” called Smoketronics.

Fashion Gems at 104 North End has closed, though it seems like something else is coming soon — when we wandered past the other weekend, the shop was undergoing quite a drastic refurbishment involving multiple people and power tools.

The Hawkin’s Bazaar branch at Unit 64, Centrale has closed, as has Fabric Warehouse at Unit 74, Centrale, as has the 99p Stores branch at 12–18 Crown Hill (see below for news on its North End branch).

Other news

The charity Crisis has been granted planning permission to open a day centre for homeless people at Bridge House, 11–19 Surrey Street, formerly the Surrey Streatery.

99p Stores at 139 North End has transformed into a branch of Poundland. One hopes they have also fixed the previous terrible layout that made it impossible to escape the shop without spending half an hour circling the central aisles in the hope of catching a glimpse of the way out.

Noodle 23 at 103–105 High Street has rebranded to Wei Dao, though little else seems to have changed, and the menu is still the same.

Finally, the plan to open a branch of Rodeos burgers at 87–89 High Street appears to have been definitively abandoned.

Openings

Croydon has acquired several new food places since we last posted. Firstly, an Italian cafe called Ciao Bella has replaced the sadly-missed Franco’s Caffe at 54 Surrey Street. Just around the corner from there is new Caribbean restaurant The Dutchie, in the basement at Unit 3, The Arcade, 32–34 High Street.

A branch of sushi chain Kokoro has opened at 42 George Street (the old premises of Mexway), offering an alternative to Centrale’s Yo Sushi and the Whitgift’s Tashi Sushi (though don’t forget the long-standing Osushi at 47 South End — unlike these, a proper restaurant).

A “tech hub” called TMRW (or possibly Tomorrow) has opened at 75–77 High Street, incorporating an open-to-the-public cafe called Byte Cafe. Vegans will enjoy their substantial salads, but omnivores are catered for too.

For those who like desserts, there’s now a branch of Krispy Kreme in the Whitgift Centre.

Moving on to food shops, a Portuguese, Brazilian, and Angolan grocery shop called Luso has opened at 43 St George’s Walk; while a branch of Tariq Halal Meats has opened at 89 London Road, bringing camel meat and wagyu beef burgers to the people of West Croydon.

Vaping is apparently the new thing. Smoketronics, the vape and coffee shop previously reported as “coming soon”, has now opened at 187 London Road, and another vape shop called Vapepit has opened at 123 South End. Nine months ago, Croydon had no vape shops, and now it has three (Evapo at 158 Whitgift Centre having opened late last year).

Croydon being Croydon, we also have a new art gallery, hairdresser, clothes shops, and yet another place offering mobile phone repair. 2–4 Park Street is now the home of art studio and gallery Studio Upstairs, which aims to support people with mental health problems, and provides drop-in art sessions as well as exhibitions.

The London Bridal Boutique, which used to have a concession in Croydon Council’s Pop-Up Emporium at 86–88 Church Street, now has its own permanent home at 45 St George’s Walk. Those who desire clothing for reasons other than weddings can visit Project Fashion, a new discount clothes shop at 29 Whitgift Centre.

Hairdresser and dressmaker Beauty Queen Salon/Home Sweet Home has opened at 40 Church Street, a soft furnishings shop called Prime Linens has opened at 104 North End, and a combination mobile phone and computer repair shop, internet cafe, and dressmaker/tailor has opened at 175 London Road.

Closures

It’s been a few months since we last did a round-up of recent closures, so there are several to report.

In food-related closures, Pita Pit at 125 North End, Chilli Room at 24–26 South End, Pizza Express at 3 South End, Doughmasters at 4 Suffolk House, George Street, Grill@12 at 12 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, and Bodrum Kebab at 48 High Street are all no more. The closure of Doughmasters is perhaps the most poignant of these; according to the notice in the window announcing its closure, it had been in Croydon for 20 years.

Other closures are Rings And Things/Innocent Needle at 212 High Street, Cash & Cheque Express at 50 Surrey Street, the Vodafone branch at 74 North End, Retro CR0 at 15 St George’s Walk, Envy at 161 Whitgift Centre, Officers Club at 74–75 Whitgift Centre, Market Boutique at 66 Whitgift Centre, Hulsta Studios/Ligne Roset at 46–47 Whitgift Centre (and the associated Grange upstairs in Units 1046–1048), Inside Out at 98–99 Whitgift Centre, Menkind at 31–32 Whitgift Centre, Yoke Menswear at 1036–1037 Whitgift Centre, and Optimax and Destination Skin at 103–105 High Street.

Finally, Aurum has closed its shop at 95 South End due to expiry of the lease, but continues in business at its other premises at 290 Lower Addiscombe Road.

Coming soon

Previously reported as “coming soon”, The Meze Lounge opened briefly at 65 South End but then closed again. It is now under new management and due to reopen this Friday (22 July 2016).

The old premises of Mirch Masala at 40–42 South End have signs up saying a branch of pizza restaurant Bianco 43 will be opening there soon.

Other news

Minicab firm Kendall Cars has changed its name to Minicab.Com and moved to larger premises at 13 Suffolk House, George Street (entrance on College Road).

Several other businesses have also moved: Geoffrey Butler Cycles has moved from 15 South End to 429 Brighton Road, CR2 6EU, the Whitgift Dental Practice has moved from 1080 Whitgift Centre to 70 Chatsworth Road, CR0 1HB, Minuteman Press has moved from 12a Suffolk House, George Street to 19 Stafford Road, CR0 4NG, and the EE shop at 85 North End has moved to larger premises next door at numbers 87–89.

In other name-change news, Harvest at 38 Surrey Street has become Tasty Heaven. They still do kebabs and burgers, but the fish and chips have been replaced by biryani. Everyday’s at 136 North End has changed its name to GFC, though the new management haven’t yet got around to changing the frontage sign. The formerly-anonymous mobile phone shop at 168 North End now has the rather unimaginative name of Croydon Mobile Centre, and Sasa Jewellery in the Whitgift Centre is now known as Caprice Jewellery.

Lidl at 68–74 Church Street has been extended into the neighbouring premises previously occupied by the Croydon Furniture Centre.

BHS at 69–73 Whitgift Centre is due to close at some point, due to the chain going into administration, but at the time of writing not even the staff have been told exactly when it will close.

Pizzeria Pellone at 256 High Street appears to have started offering delivery, with online ordering via Hungry House.

Finally, the Five Guys burger chain has been granted prior approval to open a branch in part of the old Yates’s premises at 7–11 High Street, though at the time of writing there’s little evidence of this actually happening.

Openings

The diversity of Croydon’s food offerings has increased yet again, with a new Romanian restaurant called Mahala opening at 83 Church Street (previously Big Mamma/The Gun) and Indian street food restaurant Bombay Brunch taking over Khyber’s old premises at 284–288 High Street.

South End also has two new food places: Caribbean restaurant Little Mobay at number 95 and Italian restaurant Bianco₄₃ at numbers 40–42.

The Co-op is expanding its operations in Croydon, with a new supermarket at 6a Lansdowne Road (replacing the previous My Local) and another branch of its funeral services at 2 Brighton Road.

There are two new clothes shops in the Whitgift Centre: a branch of discount clothes chain Choice in Units 98–99, and Bella in Unit 161.

Closures

Bella Italia at 18 George Street has closed, as has Cafe Leon at Leon House, 233 High Street.

There are several closures to report in the Whitgift Centre and Centrale. (We don't survey Centrale very often, so some of these closures might have happened a while ago.) Whitgift closures are Multiyork in Units 1040–1042, Spirit in Units 21–22, Anna in Unit 123, Virgin Media in Unit 122, and BHS in Units 69–73, while Centrale has lost American Candy in Unit 63, Oxygen Red in Units 13–17, and Petals in Unit 3.

The Chelsea Building Society branch at 15 George Street has also closed.

Coming soon

3 Ruskin Parade (on Selsdon Road) is currently under refurbishment to open as a Romanian shop called Dobrogea.

Other news

Food delivery firm Deliveroo has arrived in Croydon, with several restaurants and a wine shop signed up at the time of writing.

The gym at 44 Surrey Street previously run by Virgin Active has been taken over by Nuffield Health. Chihetos at 8 Ye Market (Selsdon Road) has become Baraka Chicken & Pizza, though we’re not sure it’s still open even under that name. Pizzeria Pellone at 256 High Street has been renamed to 500 Degrees, but remains under the same ownership.

Several moves have taken place: Niha beauty salon has moved from 181a North End to larger premises at 60–62 London Road; children’s clothes shop Finoora has moved from 1035 Whitgift Centre to Airport House, Purley Way; accountancy firm Palmer McCarthy has moved from 49a South End to Carlton Road in South Croydon; the Yorkshire Building Society has moved from 3 George Street just down the road to 66–68 George Street; parcel firm Post & Packing has moved from 13 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road to North End Mall (which runs through Croydon Village Outlet between North End and George Street); and clothes shop Mbuta Nanga!, previously at 83 North End, has also moved to Croydon Village Outlet.

Finally, Ciao Bella at 54 Surrey Street is (temporarily?) closed and undergoing some sort of refurbishment.

Openings

Tattoo magazine Paperchasers Ink has opened a shop and studio at 10 St George’s Walk. Pop in for a free copy of their magazine! They also offer tattooing services, but only by appointment.

A Polish takeaway called Open Faced Hot Baguette has opened at 1 Derby Road. For the first few weeks of its life it sold zapiekanki, or “Polish pizzas” — toasted baguette halves with toppings such as mushrooms, Polish sausage, peppers, and cheese. However, it has now pivoted to boxed meals based on potatoes and Polish sausage.

A buffet restaurant called Comboco has opened at 63–65 High Street. This was previously Moj Y Moj, which was just the latest in a string of short-lived business ventures at the old premises of Bar Red Square. Hopefully Comboco will be longer-lasting, though at the time of writing it has temporarily closed again for refurbishment.

In other food-related news, a Polish grocery shop called Polish Deli Gucio has opened at 224 London Road, a Romanian grocery shop called Dobrogea has opened at 3 Ruskin Parade, Selsdon Road, yet another branch of Greggs has opened at 51 North End, and a food-and-drink-focused mall called Boxpark has opened at 99 George Street.

A puzzle-based live action gaming center called SI5 SpyMissions has opened in Exchange Square (just off Surrey Street).

A hairdresser and beauty salon called Beauty Village has opened at 181a North End.

There are several new openings in Centrale and the Whitgift Centre: a clothing and accessories shop called Limelight at Unit 3, Centrale, a popup shop apparently called #popupcroydon at Unit 66, Whitgift Centre, a carpet shop called Tapi Carpets & Floors at Units 31–32, Whitgift Centre, and a discount bookshop called New Stories at Units 21–22, Whitgift Centre.

Closures

Depa Indiana at 5 Derby Road has closed. According to a member of staff at the convenience store next door, it’s likely to become a chicken and/or pizza shop, as the owners have had difficulty recruiting enough Bangladeshi/Indian chefs. It would be quite a loss if this happened, since according to historical phone book data this site has been an Indian restaurant since at least 1961, and indeed a Croydon Advertiser article from a few years ago suggests that it could well have been the first one in Croydon.

A V Zones at 38 St George’s Walk has closed. This may have happened some time ago; the last time we definitely saw it open was over a year ago, but there was still stock remaining inside until relatively recently. Other closures are Pound Plus Bargain at 40 London Road, Blue Turtle at Units 146–147, Whitgift Centre, and Project Fashion at Unit 29, Whitgift Centre.

Latest at 135a North End is now, well, late.

Coming soon

A branch of German Doner Kebab is due to open at 27 George Street (recently vacated by A-Z Office Centre, which has merged with its other branch at 28 George Street).

Cafe Havana, which already has a presence at 20 South End and 38 South End, is in the process of opening a branch at 12a Suffolk House, George Street.

A sign for some kind of business called Lagos Island has appeared at 41 St George’s Walk, though there are no indications of what this will be.

Other news

Le Petit Pain on Keeley Road is closed “until further notice”. However, there are still bottled drinks in the fridge inside, and they appear to be clearing the post away, so it seems possible that it might reopen at some point.

Discount People/G Pound Zone at 29–31 St George’s Walk is currently closed, with substantial building work going on inside; we don’t yet know if it will still be the same sort of thing when it reopens.

Anna’s on the High Street has moved from number 235–241 to number 281, and Robert Edward Insurance Consultants has moved from 1a Selsdon Road to 28 Dingwall Road, CR0 2NH. Menkind, a gift shop previously at Units 31–32 in the Whitgift Centre, is now in Unit 123.

Solnishko at 34 Station Road has had a makeover and is now spelled Solnyshko.

Croydon Repair Centre at 9 Derby Road is now Prime Money Transfer.

Finally, West Croydon Bus Station has reopened. Hurrah!

Openings

A new dressmakers called Paul & Lydia has opened at 51 St George’s Walk.

A new clothes shop has opened at 83 North End, where Unze used to be. There’s currently no name on the frontage, but the owner told us he’s thinking of calling it “Miss Selfie”.

There’s also another possibly-new clothes shop on North End: Love London Fashion at 135a North End has reopened, we suspect under different management from before. It’s not clear if it will be keeping the same name.

Totstars Academy, a new children’s sports centre, has opened at 41–42 Keeley Road (round the back of Centrale).

Two openings to report in the Whitgift Centre: Bags 4U, a new bag shop in Unit 144, Lower Level, and Spirit, a new clothes shop in Units 21–22, Sainsbury’s Square.

Smoothbean, the coffee and juice shop reported as “coming soon” in a previous update, is now open at 2–3 Dingwall Road, offering coffee, cakes, freshly-squeezed juice, and a small but daily-changing lunch menu.

Similarly, Croydon Express, the convenience store at 5 Crown Hill mentioned in our last update, has definitely now opened — a display of loom bands takes pride of place outside.

Closures

Uday News at 8 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road has closed.

We also have several closures to report from the Whitgift Centre, as it’s been quite a while since we did a full survey there (we usually pick up on new openings fairly quickly, but we often only note closures when we do a proper survey). Closures are: Bar Ispani (Unit 1045, Upper Trinity Court), Candy USA (Unit 93, Sainsbury’s Square), Graziella’s (Unit 80, East Arcade), My Home Choice (Unit 1104, Upper Mall), Notting Hill (Unit 25, The Mall), Tie Rack (Unit 158, East Arcade), USC (Units 117–118, West Arcade), Websters Pen Shop (Unit 1149, Upper West Arcade), Whitgift News (Unit 148, East Arcade).

Coming Soon

A new branch of Warren James jewellery shop will be opening at 10am today (Friday 25 July) at 121–123 North End.

A beauty salon called Angel Beauty Parlour is advertising itself as “opening soon” in the Whitgift Centre (Units 1021-1022, Upper Sainsbury’s Square).

Other news

Barratts at 30–32 North End has rebranded to Pavers.

Godstone Autos at 13–19 Derby Road has been replaced by Kwik Car Hire & Repair Centre.

London Visa has moved from 5 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road to the old Met Life building at 22 Addiscombe Road.

The Lansdowne Hotel restaurant has changed its name from Cotto e Mangiato to Buongiorno Burgers and now, unsurprisingly, specialises in burgers (though still with an Italian theme).

Openings

A Mediterranean restaurant called Anabella’s Kitchen has opened at 299 High Street, where Buenos Aires used to be. It's currently open for breakfast and lunch every day, and for dinner on Thursday to Sunday.

Closures

Little Hungary at 35 St George’s Walk has closed, as have Cheque Centre at 31 George Street and Well Suited at 1032 Whitgift Centre.

After a few months of uncertainly, it now definitely seems that The Goodness at 92 High Street (previously Tacolisa at 90 High Street) has closed for good. (If you know otherwise, we’d love to hear from you!)

Coming soon

Indications are that 28–30 St George’s Walk (previously Victoria Island) will at some point be reopening as a bar/restaurant called Alchemy.

A branch of HMV is due to open soon at 38–40 North End. This was previously JJB Sports, and is currently a temporary shop called Fashion 4 Less. Fashion 4 Less is now holding a closing-down sale, and its last day of trading will be Sunday 17 August.

Other news

Further signs of life have been spotted in relation to the Folly at 13–15 Selsdon Road, in that Star Pubs & Bars (a division of Heineken UK) have applied for planning permission for fascia signs reading “Gus O’Connors Irish Bar”. This application was refused by Croydon Council due to the use of floodlighting, but it seems likely that an amended application will go in soon.

Panini Cafe at 106 High Street is temporarily closed. According to a sign on the frontage, it will reopen on Tuesday 26 August.

Apex College, previously at 18 George Street, has moved to Brixton.

Openings

The new HMV at 38–40 North End is now open.

Alchemy at 28–30 St George’s Walk is also open, with a Caribbean buffet at lunchtimes and a restaurant menu in the evenings.

A discount clothes shop called Magenta has opened in Units 31–32 on the lower level of the Whitgift Centre.

The old Salvation Army hall at 47 Tamworth Road, most recently occupied by the Croydon Muscle & Fitness Gym, is now home to the Vine Branch Church (though we’re not entirely sure if it’s open for business yet).

Closures

Dorothy Perkins/Burton at 34–36 North End has closed, as has Caffe Nosh at 47 St George's Walk.

Following Phones 4U’s move into administration, its branches at 65–67 North End and Units 94–95 in the Whitgift Centre have closed (though possibly only temporarily).

Perfect Chicken/Chat Patta/Mr Pizza at 55 London Road has also closed, though it looks like a new eat-in restaurant will be opening there soon.

Coming soon

A new restaurant called Yumn Brasserie is due to open soon at 69–71 South End. According to their Twitter account, this will be “An exciting new dining experience offering a wide range of meals from French cuisine to dry-aged steaks and gourmet burgers”.

Openings

34–36 North End, previously occupied by Dorothy Perkins and Burton, is now a furniture and homewares shop called Home Living.

A new Chinese/Japanese takeaway called Big Spoon has opened at 92 High Street (next to where Tacolisa used to be).

A restaurant with the informative name of Middle Eastern Restaurant has opened at 55 London Road.

A jewellery and accessories shop called Jewellery World opened at 1 Derby Road, though it may have closed again; it’s not really clear what’s going on.

Closures

Two branches of Santander have closed: the one at 73 North End and the one at 66–68 George Street. Their other two central Croydon branches (at 128–130 North End and 46a George Street) remain open.

Portre at 30 North End has closed.

Coming soon

A new art gallery called Rise Gallery is due to open tomorrow (Friday 24 October) at 7-9 St George’s Walk. (The launch event is tonight!)

Other news

Infinitive Collections, which opened a new branch in Centrale a couple of months ago, has closed its original shop at 10 St George’s Walk — all trade is now carried on from Centrale.

Computer Repairs at 170 North End has changed hands and is now known as 071.

Openings

We have several food-related openings to report! Firstly, a new “food hub” called Surrey Streatery has opened at Bridge House, 11–19 Surrey Street. This large space is home to a number of small businesses offering coffee, wraps, bread, groceries, and street food from Goa, Mexico, and elsewhere. Plenty of indoor seating is provided, and there are regular cookery demonstrations too.

A Caribbean cafe called — surprise! — Caribbean Cafe has opened at 78c Frith Road (next to Tuckers Meat Market, where Sam’s Cafe used to be), a kebab shop called Nefis Kebabs has opened at 38 South End (replacing the previous kebab shop, Bekali), and a branch of Blue Mountain Cafe has replaced the old Just Beautiful Cupcakes shop at 111a High Street.

In non-food-related news, Oliver Gold estate agents has opened at 78 London Road, a new clothes shop called Bird Cage has opened on the lower level of the Whitgift Centre (Unit 25), and a car accessories shop called Fuel Zone has opened at 96b South End.

Closures

Sara’s Diner at 65 Church Street has closed, but according to signs on the outside there will soon be a new occupant called Hot N Sour.

Linian Launderette Co at 10 Ye Market, Selsdon Road has closed, as has Cash Generator at 70 High Street.

Swift Scissors at 108 High Street has closed, and been replaced by an accountant called Barzinji and Co Ltd.

Coming soon

A new Tex-Mex restaurant called KK’s Texan Grill House is due to open tomorrow (Saturday 15 November) at 300 High Street (where Frenzy pizza used to be).

Other news

Snow Nails & Beauty at 4 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road has rebranded to Shiny Nails & Beauty Spa, and Bronzed Tanning Centre at 20d Selsdon Road is now The Tanning Shop.

Finally, PRC Employment at 291-293 High Street has joined the Berry Recruitment group, and rebranded to match.

Openings

A European-inspired restaurant called Yumn Brasserie has opened at 69–71 South End. This fills a building that had been vacant for several years, which is always pleasing to see.

A combination cafe and Chinese buffet restaurant called Hot N Sour has opened at 65 Church Street. It serves cooked breakfasts before noon, and Chinese buffet food thereafter.

My PT Studio at 43 St George’s Walk has opened a second exercise studio a few doors down at number 35. Also on St George’s Walk, a new parcel delivery, courier, and cargo service called Mail Smart has opened at number 19.

A new branch of Morrisons M Local has opened at 6a Lansdowne Road, and a dry cleaners called Time Dry Cleaners has opened at 90 High Street (where Tacolisa used to be).

Closures

Heroes & Legends at 25–27 St George's Walk has closed.

Coming soon

Estate agent Foxtons has been granted planning permission to install a shopfront at 2–4 High Street.

Star Pubs & Bars (a division of Heineken UK) has been granted planning permission for new signage at The Folly, 13–15 Selsdon Road. The designs (PDF) look relatively upmarket, though it remains to be seen what the end result will actually be.

Other news

Several places have changed name over the past few weeks. Bombay 7 at 60 South End has rebranded to Navaratna, though the menu remains the same. Marco Aldany at 7–9 Crown Hill has rebranded to Millimetre. Croydon Tech Connect at 6 Station Road is now Imran Repair Centre.

Finally, the Italian restaurant in the Lansdowne Hotel has changed its name yet again, from Buongiorno Burgers to Salve. One wonders what it might be called in six months’ time.

Openings

Two new businesses have opened in the Gary Court retail units (on London Road near the junction with Sumner Road) — Option Mobiles at number 187, selling gift items and mobile phone accessories, and Nana’s Hair & Beauty Salon at number 189a.

Another opening on London Road is Kaakyire African Market at number 61.

A new hairdresser called Croydon Hairdresser has opened at 151a North End. This is yet another piece of the old Arkwrights Wheel/Railway Bell pub that’s been divided off into a separate business.

Closures

The Croydon Emporium at 86–88 Church Street has come to the end of its six-month run, and hence vacated the building.

eCosway in the Whitgift Centre (Unit 142, lower level) has closed.

Other news

Portre at 30 North End has reopened after a period of closure.

Love London Fashion at 135a North End is now Latest, and Leather Factory at 104 North End is now Fashion Gems.

Openings

An Indian cafe called Behtareen has opened at 1 Dingwall Road. It specialises in “street food” and snacks such as chana chaat (pictured).

Closures

Mexway at 42 George Street has closed, as has Quick Stop Express at 9a George Street.

Coming soon

63 South End is under refurbishment to open as a cocktail bar called Playground.

A new club called Club 88 Degrees is due to open on Saturday 28 February in the basement at 84 High Street (previously Cantina)

Signage for a new Caribbean and soul food restaurant called Caribsoul has appeared at 46 George Street (previously Wimpy), though there’s no indication of when it’s due to open.

87–89 High Street also has a new sign for a business called “Everyday’s” — in this case there’s not even an indication of what the new business will be.

Other news

Premier Kebab at 244 High Street has been replaced by Wing’O Chicken, and Elite Mini Cabs at 250 High Street has been replaced by Fast Track Mini Cabs and Internet Cafe.

Finally, Sea Food Supermarket at 62 High Street has moved to 21 Surrey Street and renamed itself to Croydon Quality Fish.

Openings

A new club called Club 88° has opened at 84 High Street (under the flyover).

Just across the road from there, a new casual restaurant (burgers, chicken, ice cream, etc) called Everyday’s has opened at 87–89 High Street.

Cash and Carry Beds at 1 Derby Road has opened a new branch at 175 London Road.

Closures

The Pret A Manger branch at 125 North End has closed. Its branch at 93a George Street remains open for those who believe no sandwich is complete without rocket.

UK Monster Deals at 81 Church Street has also closed.

Coming soon

The Wine Cellar in Sanderstead are soon to open another branch, possibly called Fresh Fields Market, at 86–88 Church Street (previously the Croydon Pop-Up Emporium).

Other news

Angelo’s barber shop at 81 High Street has moved around the corner to 1 Robert Street.

Finally, the Croydon Advertiser reports that the Croydon Visitor Centre at 1–3 Station Approach is due to close for good on 1 May. A petition has been launched to protest against this closure.

Openings

A new pizza restaurant called Pizzeria di Prato has opened at 152 London Road. According to a poster in the window, pizzas from a wood-fired oven are available from 4pm–11pm Monday–Sunday. British cafe food is served at other times.

Caribsoul, the Caribbean restaurant previously reported here as “coming soon” to 46 George Street, has now opened.

A new “shapewear” shop, Secret Curves, has opened at 37 Surrey Street, an internet cafe called Outside In has opened at 6 The Arcade, 32–34 High Street, and a bakery called Bózza has opened at 1 Ye Market, Selsdon Road (previously To A Tea).

A new estate agents called RE/MAX Property Centre has opened at 302 High Street (previously Walker Crips Stockbrokers Ltd).

Closures

The branch of Subway at 136 North End has closed. However, as far as we know, central Croydon’s five other Subway branches remain open (Whitgift Centre, 32–34 High Street, 218 High Street, 80 Frith Road, and Wellesley Road).

Blue Arrow employment agency at 78d Frith Road and Beaumont Beds at 85–87 Church Street have also closed.

Bodrum at 48 High Street is currently closed, though it looks like this might just be temporary.

Coming soon

A branch of the Canadian chain Pita Pit is in the process of opening at 125 North End (previously Pret A Manger). According to signs in the window, it's due to open tomorrow (Monday 20 April)

Other news

Beanies Cafe Middle Street at 3–7 Middle Street is now known as Project B Cafe & Bar. It’s under the same ownership, but the menu has changed to focus on hot and cold sandwiches.

Hot N Sour at 65 Church Street has similarly been renamed to Cafe Bite Out, but in this case nothing has changed except the name.

Nefis Kebabs at 38 South End is now Afandina, and One 2 Call at 91 Church Street is now Tech House.

New signage for an organisation called Get Me To Work has appeared at 82 South End, though we’re not sure it’s open yet or what exactly it will be.

Finally, just a small reminder that the Surrey Streatery at 11–19 Surrey Street is closing on 2 May — only a fortnight left to get your delicious street food lunches!

Openings

A new Vietnamese cafe called Viet2Go has opened at 20 Surrey Street.

Fresh Fields Market has opened at 86–88 Church Street, selling fruit, veg, flowers, groceries, wine, bottled real ale, and fresh real ale from the Cronx Brewery, straight from the cask.

Also on Church Street, an African grocery shop called Alfie De Alfie has opened at number 81. This was previously located at 3 Overton Yard, where it was known variously as Alfi Afro, Alfred’s Food Store, and Cape Coast Market.

A furniture shop called Inegol Home, part of a Turkish chain, has opened at 79 High Street, yet another mobile phone accessories/repair shop (Fix Phones Ltd) has opened at 35 George Street, and yet another beauty supplies shop (Sana)has opened at 62 High Street.

Finally, there's a new art supplies shop called All City London at 2 St George’s Walk.

Closures

The Croydon Visitor Centre and CeX Entertainment Exchange at 1–3 and 4–5 Station Approach have both closed due to the Ruskin Square redevelopment. CeX’s other branch at 43 George Street remains open.

Yates’s at 7–11 High Street has also closed.

Other news

Pavers, previously at 30–32 North End, has moved a couple of doors down to become part of Croydon Village Outlet.

Openings

Artists’ collective Turf Projects has a new home at Units 39-40 in Centrale. The space will host exhibitions and events.

Two new coffee shops have opened! Crushed Bean is at 81 High Street, and as well as coffee has a short but well-chosen tea menu. It serves sandwiches and cakes too. Gelattiamo is at 187 London Road, and has a good selection of ice cream and cakes.

Playground cocktail bar has opened at 63 South End, offering molecular cocktails, coffee, and brunch.

A new photographic studio called Photo Craft has opened at 94 High Street.

Closures

The Tamworth Arms at 62 Tamworth Road has closed amid reports of nefarious dealings.

Caribbean Cafe at 78c Frith Road has closed too, though as far as we know there were no nefarious dealings in this case!

The branch of The Money Shop at 63 North End has also closed, decreasing central Croydon’s payday loan shops by a small fraction.

Coming soon

A new branch of Holland & Barrett is due to open tomorrow (Tuesday 30 June 2015) at 53–55 North End. (According to a member of staff, this is in addition to, rather than a replacement for, their other branch at Units 1098–1099, Whitgift Centre Upper Level.)

Other news

Amaí at Unit 1015, Whitgift Centre Upper Level has moved to Regent Parade, Brighton Road, Sutton, SM2 5BQ.

Finally, the Croydon Advertiser reports that Dice Bar & Club at 36 High Street has been closed by the police. It isn't yet clear whether this will be a temporary or permanent closure.

Openings

Photography/makeover studio Hello Gorgeous has opened a new branch at 85–87 Church Street, and a new hair and beauty salon called Morning Star has opened at 193a London Road. (The latter does not appear to have any connection to the Croydon Communists.)

A scale model/toy shop called Kits4all has opened at 16 St George’s Walk.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors has opened a branch at 18 George Street.

Closures

The Morrisons M Local at 138–140 North End has closed.

Everyday’s at 87–89 High Street has closed. However, its recently-opened second branch at 136 North End remains in business. According to the manager at the latter, the High Street premises will reopen soon as an American grill.

There are also several other food-related closures on the High Street and South End: Blue Mountain Cafe at 111a High Street, Afandina at 38 South End, and Yummy at 123 South End.

Singletons at 94 South End has closed, and Home Living at 34-36 North End is also due to close shortly — its last day of trading is today, Tuesday 4 August.

Coming soon

A Lexon stockist called Hyper Hyper is in the process of opening at 20 St George’s Walk.

Other news

The Wandle Park Cafe is open again, now run by Mum’s The Chef.

Amplifon has moved from 208 High Street to 36 George Street, Benchmark Reprographics has moved from 28–30 Selsdon Road to 5 Swan Close, CR0 2DZ, and Skyline at 22 Selsdon Road has had a rename to Croydon Commercials.

The branch of Miso at 103–105 High Street is closed for refurbishment until the beginning of September.

Finally, Caribbean Cafe at 78c Frith Road, which we previously reported closed, is in fact still open!

Openings

A “vintage boutique” called Retro CR0 has opened at 15 St George’s Walk, specialising in clothes from different countries.

Other openings include Foxtons at 2–4 High Street, Post & Packing at 13 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, and Uday News at 8 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road; the last of these is a reopening under new management after a year of closure.

Closures

Memory Lane Records at 55 Frith Road has closed and been replaced by For Eyes opticians, Croydon Express at 5 Crown Hill has been replaced by Croydon Hair & Beauty, and Miss Selfie at 83 North End has closed and been replaced by another clothes shop called Mbuta Nanga! (exclamation mark theirs).

Mae Ping at 18 South End has also closed, but will be replaced by a Vietnamese restaurant.

Other closures remain vacant at the time of writing: H Purchen at 168 North End, Home Living at 34–36 North End, Top Trendz at 34–36 Church Street, the Age UK charity shop at 46 Church Street, and the Outside In internet cafe at 6 The Arcade, 32–34 High Street.

Coming soon

The ex-Everyday’s at 87–89 High Street is under refurbishment to open as a branch of Rodeos American grill.

Other news

Many reshufflings on St George’s Walk! My PT Studio has moved from number 43 into the larger premises opposite (numbers 40–44) previously occupied by Home Again. Home Again in turn has moved down a bit to numbers 37–39, previously occupied by the Relief Fund For Romania charity shop. Finally, the charity shop has moved into number 33, previously occupied by Sherry Beauty (which seems to have closed down completely).

The Gypsy Tavern at 12a Station Road has been renamed to the Phoenix.

Ideal Beauty at 42 London Road (previously 40–42) has been renamed to Gina. It’s also shrunk to half its size, with number 40 being taken over by Pound Plus Bargain.

Miso Noodle Bar at 103–105 High Street has been renamed to Noodle 23. It is no longer connected to the branch of Miso at 11–12 Suffolk House, George Street.

Openings

We have several interesting food-and-drink-related openings to report! Firstly, a Vietnamese restaurant, Cát Bà Island, has opened at 18 South End, replacing Mae Ping. It caters for vegetarians and vegans as well as meat-eaters, with vegan options including bánh cuốn (Vietnamese pancakes), phở (noodle soup), glass noodles with vegetables, and more. Omnivores may also be interested in their grilled quail, their lotus stem and king prawn salad, or their tomato and whelk noodle soup.

Pizzeria Pellone, an Italian restaurant specialising in Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven, has opened at 256 High Street. Just across the side street from there, a cocktail bar called South Beats has opened at 282 High Street (previously the Half & Half).

The old premises of The Folly at 13–15 Selsdon Road have been brought back into use after several years of vacancy as The Baskerville, a pub with real ale, cocktails, and pub food, not to mention interesting brickwork and flooring.

The old premises of Babylon Buffet[1] at 151 North End are now occupied by a buffet called Lotus World Buffet and a Chettinadu restaurant called Karaikudi. When we visited on Karaikudi’s opening day, we tried out a very tasty masala dosa priced at just £2.99.

It’s not just restaurants and bars, though. Hyper Hyper, an art gallery and modern designer homewares shop, has opened at 20 St George’s Walk. When we popped in, the stock included some very cool-looking coffee cups and a flavour-your-own gin kit.

A gift shop called Menkind has opened at Unit 31–32, Whitgift Centre Lower Level. It advertises itself as offering gifts “for men”, though judging from the selection on its website most of its stock also seems to be of potential use and interest to people who aren’t men.

A clothes shop called Avers has opened at 32 North End, replacing Pavers shoe shop. One can only applaud the ingenious recycling of the previous shop sign.

Other new openings include a “head shop” and “lifestyle accessories” shop called Skunk House at 213 High Street, a branch of Hawkin’s Bazaar at Unit 64 in Centrale, a gift shop called Petals at Unit 3 in Centrale, a currently-nameless bag shop at 46 Church Street, a beauty shop called Shaba Hair & Cosmetics at 34–36 Church Street, a nail bar called Perfect Nails at 78d Frith Road, another nail bar called Get Nailed! at 189b London Road, and a dressmakers called Phegiron House of Fashion at 187a London Road. Finally, a Chinese medicine centre called Herb China has either already opened or is about to open at 31 George Street.

Closures

There are also several food-related closures. Finjan at 74 London Road has closed and will be replaced by a hair/nail salon. Lusitano Stores at 19a St George’s Walk, Wing’O Chicken at 244 High Street, and Cafe Bite Out at 65 Church Street have also closed. The interior of Cafe Bite Out has been stripped out but work is going on inside, so it seems it may reopen as something else. Finally, Alfie de Alfie at 81 Church Street has probably closed, though it might just be undergoing refurbishment.

Other closures are the White Sands nail spa at 60–62 London Road, Shoe World at 5–7 Surrey Street, Portre at 30 North End, Fiction at 40 Church Street, 4 Feet at Unit 29, Whitgift Centre Lower Level, the Croydon Furniture Centre at 74 Church Street, the Lloyds Bank branch at 102 South End, and the Money Shop branch at 246 High Street.

Coming soon

38 South End is under refurbishment to open as a “gourmet burger grill” called Havana. The same people also seem to have 20 South End, which currently has a frontage reading Cafe Havana.

Other news

Clive Mitchell at 28 Church Street is now officially known as Gerrys At Home — a name it’s been using for a good few years, but now at last it has a corresponding sign.

True Tattoo at 49 Frith Road is now known as Wanderlust, Antoine’s Barber Shop at 12 Brighton Road is now S A Grooming, and Broadgreen Londis at 254 London Road is now Limra Convenience Store, incorporating a cake bakery called Cake Walk (or possibly Cake Park).

Finally, Pizzeria Di Prato at 152 London Road has stopped doing pizzas and reverted to its old name of Adams Cafe.

Notes