Kennards of Croydon: The Store that Entertained to Sell: A History of a Debenhams Store

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Sadly Allders is now in the hands of the Receivers hoping for a buyer to continue the name - very sad. Based on Frith Road in the town centre, it was thought of as a "great little shop" by customers who went in there. Sam Foster: Pool upstairs in Yates. Foam party/school night in Walkabout -karaoke on a Sunday night. The Disney store in Whitgift. Safari cinema in West Croydon. Read More Related Articles

The Beatles played there the night of March 21, 1963, and their first album, Please Please Me, was released the following day. All 807 Woolworths stores across the UK had shut by January 2009, causing 27,000 job losses. Every other shop mentioned Two of the unique selling points of the store was the use of full-length windows running the length of the store, [3] a unique feature at the time, and an arcade (added during the 1930s) inside the store that linked different departments and showcased goods from around the world. [4] The establishment drew thousands of gig-goers over its eight-year reign, with big-name headliners including the likes of Deep Purple, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy, The Ramones and The Jam taking to the stage between 1969 and 1977. Sadly for the young children of Croydon, the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 forced the zoo to close and the animals were found safe lodgings elsewhere.

9. Sherlock Holmes did a lot of sleuthing in Croydon

A brand new pet shop, on the second floor was opened. It had space, light and carpet on the floor and about ten tropical fish tanks in a window bay. Kennards was a small department store chain that was started in 1853, founded on the principle of selling reliable goods at low profit margins.

The store kept with the founders principle for selling reliable goods at very low profit margins, which along with aiming its goods at women meant that the store was popular with working class women. [1]As Croydon was regenerated after World War One, the iconic Savoy Theatre was built at 225 London Road.

Sarah Cawley: I used to always work in Croydon, first in the reject shop in the Whitgift Centre, and at lunchtime we would go to the Arkwrights Wheel. I spent a lot of time in the Blue Orchid, Joe Bananas and Walkabout but Yates was my favourite. The toilets being downstairs was not cool after a few vodkas and wearing heels. Lots of good memories The store proudly advertised their new venture as "the first real zoo ever to be seen in Croydon". Although many of the animals featured were quite docile, a large notice warned that the store would not accept responsibility "for what may happen if people will poke their fingers through the bars!". This was of course later expanded and renamed Centrale. This store continued to anchor the centre until Debenhams announced its closure in 2020. If you think the pneumatic railway sounds like a damp squib, wait until you hear about some of Croydon's other great inventions. Among the gizmos coined by Croydonites are: the 'baby billiard table'; the' water bike'; a basket for milk bottles that can be attached to your letterbox; and the 'man-lifting kite'. Now we can hardly imagine life without them... 4. Charlie Chaplin was once kidnapped at Croydon Airport Kinematograph Weekly, 13 October 1921. From British Newspaper Archive

Ruth Pathalias: Kennedy's! I used to go there every weekend with my dad after a visit to Surrey Street Market! They just don't do butchers like that anymore!

Alan Simpson: I used to love going out in Croydon! Worked in Allders for a while and used to go to Pals on a Thursday after work! Great nights and always rammed! Moonshine, Blue Orchid, Joe Bananas! Sadly all gone now! Do the kids of today even have anywhere to go to actually meet friends (old and new!) and have a good time. Too much ‘socialising’ is done online now I guess!Woolworths was a traditional general store - it sold books, records, magazines, sweets, toys, make-up, homewares, Ladybird clothing, you name it.