For years, the former Grants Brothers department store blighted the town's High Street shopping community when it was closed and left to decay. But from as early as next year, the Victorian facade will be the new home to a entertainment and leisure complex retaining the traditional name of Grants.

Grants is nearing completion and the 200,000 sq ft development will eventually boast a multiplex cinema, a health and fitness club as well as more restaurants and bars then you can shake a stick at.

James Ager, property director of Richardsons who are developing the project, said: "This is a really exciting development and I think it will be well received by the Croydon public. This is classic regeneration.

"It has been a difficult proposal to implement because we have been very aware that parts of the historical building are listed and we have worked very closely with Croydon Council to ensure the character of the building is retained.

"The cinema is the first of its kind in the town centre and we know it is going to go down really well.

"Holmes Place, Tiger Tiger and Bar 38 are just a few of the other attractions which are included in the complex."

Grants only other main competition is the Collanades complex on Purley Way and developers are looking forward to having the unrivalled monopoly of the entertainment

market within the town centre.

James Ager added: "Our only other main competition is the Collanades on Purley Way. There will be nothing like it in the town centre.

"The other developments planned will only complement what we are doing. If Park Place get the go-ahead we could have a fantastic public square right opposite Grants."

November 13, 2001 16:30