[Reposted and updated] Croydon Today: "Mayor could prove kingmaker" (Brent Cross's HAMMERSON -versus- Westfield's, well, WESTFIELD)

April 2012: Link to 'Croydon Today'

"In Croydon, fears are already emerging that the battle for control [of Whitgift shopping centre] between Hammerson and Westfield could lead to a stalemate.

"... Westfield has made it clear it is keen to see improvements to and expansion of its existing centres in White City and Stratford, while Hammerson is keen to upgrade Brent Cross.

"And achieving their ambition could perhaps persuade either Hammerson or Westfield to think twice about Croydon, with the Mayor sweetening the pill of their disappointment of leaving the redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre to the other."

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Link to 

"Westfield and Brent Cross's Hammerson fight for Croydon"

 1 June Updates:
'Croydon Today'

Earlier 18 May story:
"Whitgift shopping centre must be demolished
to make Croydon world class, says developer"

"Deals could break Whitgift deadlock"

"SHOPPING centres in north and west London could hold the key to Croydon's future prosperity. 

"Fears that plans to redevelop the Whitgift Centre could result in years of deadlock between Centrale's owners Hammerson and Westfield have led Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell to appeal for help from Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

"And, the Advertiser understands, the town centre stand-off could be solved by deals over developments of Brent Cross and White City shopping centres. ..."

(There is a photo montage, labelled: "ROLE TO PLAY? Boris Johnson pictured over Brent Cross and Westfield's White City shopping centres") 

3 May: This article above (link) has been 'pulled' from the 'Croydon Today' web site! The story below survives there:

"Impasse over development" (link)

"AN EXAMPLE of the kind of deadlock the mayor may need to break has been shown in statements from both sides in the redevelopment row this week.

"... However, the chances of an early meeting between [pro-Hammerson, Whitgift Shopping Centre leaseholders] Croydon Alliance – Royal London, the Irish Bank and Hammerson – and the [pro-Multiplex, Shopping Centre freehold owner] Whitgift Foundation are slim.

"The Foundation does not like the inclusion of [Anglo-French] Hammerson in any meeting, and the Alliance is unhappy with the foundation's total commitment to [Australian] Westfield."