South Londoners claim to be snubbing Croydon in favour of another nearby town centre due to shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and and a lack of quality shops. Earlier this year traders in Surrey Street told MyLondon many of their customers were fed up with Croydon and instead choosing to drive to Bromley.
Mark Oram, the owner of Dabners pet shop, said: “If you go on the high street or outside West Croydon station, you’ll see the benches are all full of drinks. What advert is that for coming to Croydon? It didn’t used to be like this. There used to be reasons to come here, but all the shops are closing
“Compare this to the Glades in Bromley, all the shops are doing much better. There’s much more of a reason to go there.” Responding to these statements, many MyLondon readers backed up Mark’s perspective.
Sue Fordham wrote: “I always go Bromley now, more shops and not so depressing. I actually feel safer there!
“There’s not a lot left in Croydon. The fruit and veg are better quality on stalls in Bromley.”
A frustrated Lucy Saunders added: “If Croydon wasn’t an unsafe ghost town, I’m sure it would have a lot more foot traffic and shop lifting wouldn’t be so prominent.”
Jeff Barretto went one step further, describing Croydon town centre as “finished”. He said: “I am one of those travelling to Bromley. Absolutely nothing worth going to Croydon for. The atmosphere is very tense.”
Issues raised by residents and traders alike about Croydon haven’t fallen on deaf ears. The Metropolitan Police launched a crackdown on shoplifting in town centre led to the number of reported incidents drop from 2,050 between July and December 2024 to 1,432 between January and June this year.
Scotland Yard has also increased police patrols in the area this summer and targeted prolific offenders. This drive has been welcomed by Jose Joseph, owner of Joseph’s Veg, who told MyLondon he is “quite happy” with police being more visible in crime hotspots and the facial recognition cameras recently introduced.
Despite this, many South Londoners say the damage has already been done and refuse to do their shopping in Croydon, citing the loss of big chain shops and much-loved independents.
“It’s so sad to see the demise of Croydon’s shopping centre,” Susan Davies said. “I go to Bromley or Bluewater. Both thriving shopping centres, which just proves there is still a place for shopping centres.”
Valerie Anne Prigg, who grew up in Shirley but since moved to Canada, vented her despair at this worrying trend: ““Sad to see this and read the comments. Before we immigrated to Canada I remember my mum shopping in the market.
“On our many holidays in the UK I spent many days in Croydon. So very sad.”
Do you still shop in Croydon or prefer to use a different town centre nearby? Let us know in the comments.
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