"London Mayor Boris Johnson backs Westfield and Hammerson to create 'new era of prosperity' in Croydon with £1bn regeneration scheme" (How Boris forced the merger: "Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam")

Link to Croydon Guardian

"Mayor of London Boris Johnson has approved Westfield and Hammerson's £1bn redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre.

The joint venture by the two retail giants called the Croydon Partnership, will see the town centre transformed with a 1.5m sq ft development.

Mr Johnson said:

"[The development would create] a new era of prosperity for Croydon, and help return it to its former glory.

Hammerson has an excellent track record [it HAS?] and the recent Westfield developments in London created thousands of jobs and attracted millions of visitors, giving others the confidence to invest."