Westfield's proposals for the Whitgift Centre include1.5 million square feet of retail space including a major department store and a range of shops designed to attract a variety of occupiers including small to medium retailers. It has also promised the creation of more than 5,000 permanent local job opportunities including full and part time work
During a four day consultation held in the town starting today (Thursday 5 July 2012), the public will have the opportunity to learn more about Westfield's proposed £1 billion shopping centre, which, it is hoped, will bring jobs for local people, economic growth and regeneration to Croydon.
Westfield plans to submit its development application for the development in July 2012.
The news comes following the success Westfield achieved with creating employment opportunities in London's East End.
Westfield Stratford City is the largest urban shopping centre in Europe and 10,000 jobs were created in this development, with over 40% living in the local host borough area and over 2,600 in Newham alone.
It is understood 27,000 construction jobs were created during the build of Westfield Stratford City with approximately 10-12% of the workforce comprised of Newham residents. Onsite, the workforce peaked at 4,500 workers per day in the lead up to opening. The Workplace initiative provides construction training onsite.
Nearly 200 apprentices and trainees undertook placements on site.
Workplace - Newham Council ’s job brokerage service was set up in 2007 and has secured more than 2,000 jobs for residents in Westfield Stratford City. Almost half of these jobs went to young people aged between 16 and 24.
