Westfield’s UK chief operating officer Scott Parsons has told Sky News that the shopping centre giant intends to bring forward plans for a development in Croydon.

Speaking to Sky News on a recent podcast, Mr Parsons said he thought Croydon was “a great destination with a lot of potential,” but that new plans would not look like the retail operator’s previous proposals.

Mr Parsons said: “The planning permission has indeed lapsed, because that planning permission was for a big, old shopping centre and, of course, the world’s moved on.

“I think the message for Croydon aligns with the ‘live, work, play’ message, as we re-shape our plans for Croydon town centre, it will involve everything, from residential, to office, to hotel and student housing, and not just shopping.

“Of course, the shopping, the food and beverage and the leisure will be a great anchor for the other uses that share that community space.”

He added: “It goes back to that destination factor, where you can live, work and play, all in the great destination in which we operate.”

“People are glad to be back out,” he added. “Online shopping is convenient, but it’s not fun.”

Last August, the plans were shelved after a decade of planning. The proposals were to redevelop Whitgift shopping centre, replacing with a retail “destination”. The original scheme had been unveiled in 2012; reworked plans received approval in 2018. Construction was due to start four years prior by the joint venture between the mall operator and Hammerson.