General, Hot events Coming Up for Centrale

By Centrale | May 14, 2012

We thought it was about time we gave you another update on some of the grand plans we at Centrale Croydon have in the pipeline, as well as letting you know about a couple of our exciting current events.

If you’ve been keeping up with the What’s On section of our website you will have no doubt seen mention of the plans to redesign, renovate and regenerate our beloved Croydon shopping centre.  We’re all incredibly excited about these plans, and while no date has been set in stone, we’d like to invite you to take a look at a summary on this pdf file.  Alternatively, read on for an abridged summary, courtesy of Centrale Croydon!

With the ambitious aim of making Croydon a top-10 UK retail centre, the proposed developments are rather extensive.  The exterior alterations are intended to make Centrale look even more contemporary, with the use of modern, high quality materials, while fitting in with its immediate environment – without obstructing or intruding on any of its surroundings.  A new glazed roof has also been proposed to link over Drummond Road, to hopefully make the most of whatever weather comes our way.

There are plans to improve the shopper’s experience at Centrale Croydon too – with the addition of ten new restaurants to expand our already extensive food court and enhanced retail units to improve the potential of all our stores and lettings, we’ll be becoming even more customer oriented.

Most impressive is the concept of introducing a seven screen cinema to add to Centrale’s leisure capabilities, giving yet another excuse to visit!  Imagine sitting back in front of a good film after a hard day’s shopping, before relaxing in our extended food court for dinner afterwards – the ultimate retail experience.

Also mentioned in our What’s On section is a new regular fixture at Centrale Croydon, beginning back in April.  Every Tuesday, in the Story Lounge between French Connection and Next in the Lower Mall, a story teller will be delving into a world of fantasy and entertainment to delight your children.  From 11am to 1pm every week, leave your kids for free in the enchanting environment of the Story Lounge and our resident story teller for Tuesday Tales.  Perhaps you could take this opportunity to browse some of our dozens of stores – you may well find something that takes your fancy!

Remember to keep up to date by checking What’s On at Centrale; we’ll keep you well informed with some of the best offers and events in the area.  Best of luck to you all, and happy shopping from all of us at Centrale Croydon!

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Hot events Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in Croydon!

By Centrale | May 9, 2012

With the reign of Queen Elizabeth II coming up to its 60th anniversary, the nation is preparing itself for the much anticipated Diamond Jubilee between the 2nd and 5th of June!  Only the second Diamond Jubilee in the history of the British monarchy, the first being that of Queen Victoria in 1897, this year is set to be one to remember.  The national celebrations include the thousand strong flotilla of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant following the London river from Wandsworth to Tower Bridge as well as the record breaking attempt at lighting a network of over 4000 beacons across the country.

There’s another large scale celebration planned too – one that everyone has been encouraged to get involved with!  The Big Jubilee Lunch harks back to the street parties of VE Day and other similar celebrations, where whole communities would gather together in merriment and share the joy of a national event.  Croydon Council have been offering to help organise as many of these local gatherings as possible, and have even offered to cover the costs of any road closings and signage involved (to save your street more than £1,000).

Remember to check the council website for comprehensive details about the forthcoming festivities.  The Big Jubilee Lunch website itself has a great deal of helpful information too – read how to organise a Big Lunch here, for example.  We at Centrale Croydon are really looking forward to the June Jubilee and firmly believe there really is any excuse to get involved with the celebrations!

In addition to all that excitement, the Disney Store here in Centrale is taking part in its own special way.  This branch is offering a selection of themed crafting events, where little princesses and princes can customise their very own Union Jack flag for the Jubilee!  Across the whole Jubilee weekend too, any children visiting the store dressed Royally will receive a free gift, so there’s no reason not to check it out!  Not only can you pick up any of the Disney Princess toys, costumes and accessories here, but you can also take a look at a special Diamond Jubilee range of products.  From Minnie Mouse as the Queen to Mickey Mouse as a Beefeater, how many more reasons do you need to come down to Centrale to check it out?

Remember to keep checking back to our Offers page for all the latest updates on our favourite current promotions – and don’t forget our What’s On and News sections can help you keep on top of the latest goings on at Centrale Croydon.

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General Plan ahead for the summer holidays with Centrale

By Centrale | May 2, 2012

Although it might not look like it when you take a glance out of the window, summer really is coming!  Any parents out there know that summer always brings with it the summer holidays… These weeks of freedom from school can be seen as having both pros and cons – many children do enjoy long periods of ‘time off’, but boredom during the upcoming summer weeks is something of a growing epidemic.  We at Centrale Shopping Centre, however, are pleased to bring you a selection of suggestions to help you keep your kids both occupied and entertained over this potentially troublesome time.

Deciding what to buy for your children is always a difficult issue – what action figures are cool and which aren’t, what the season’s ‘must have’ toy is… It can be quite a headache!  If you can successfully glean which veritable treasures your youngsters want from them, head to Little Angels Emporium where you’re sure to find a selection of recognised and reliable brands as well as the latest fads and crazes.  Perhaps you could encourage your kids to have a breath of fresh air and experience the great outdoors with one of their Micro Scooters?

For that extra touch of fairytale magic simply drop into the Disney Store!  An enduring brand which has become a household name, Disney merchandise perfectly captures the wonder and fantasy of their countless famous feature films films and franchises.  Catering for girls and boys alike, there’s a lot on offer here – from clothes and homeware to more traditional toys and action figures, there’s something here for everyone.  While you’re browsing, take a look at their selection of adult clothing and accessories too – we were all kids once after all!

Why not consider introducing your kids to a new hobby this summer?  Model making is a relaxing and rewarding way of passing time, and no store caters better for it than Modelzone.  What better way is there of teaching the lesson of ‘good things come to those who wait’?  Their friendly staff are always ready to help with any model related queries so don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything you’re unsure of!

Of course, remember not to leave out the little ones!  Often during the summer holidays their older siblings, home from school, can end up taking priority, so it’s important not to leave your younger children toyless.  The Early Learning Centre has a range of toys expertly designed around each stage of a child’s development right up until their first few days of school.  If you’re looking for well made toys that encourage mental and physical development through play, look no further than the ELC in Centrale.

With all these stores and more available, you can’t go wrong here for freedom of choice.  And don’t forget, parking at Centrale is the least expensive in the area at only £2 for two hours, so combined with easy access from tram, bus and train alike, there really is any excuse to pay us a visit.

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Fashion trends, Must-have products Taking us into summer – a Centrale dress for every day of the week

By Centrale | April 23, 2012

As we know you lovely Croydon ladies always like to look your best on a night out, so we’ve put together a list of our favourite party dresses available in the shops of Centrale shopping centre, and with one idea for every day of the week, the party never has to end.

Mesmerising Monday

Start the week off with this chic, silky number from H&M. The fitted strapless bodice,  and classic tea-rose decorated fabric make for a timeless look, while the silky silver bow detail cinches in the waist to enhance your natural curves and create a perfect hourglass silhouette.

Classic tea-rose decorated strapless bodice from H&M

Tribal Tuesday

After a rather demure start, it’s time to liven things up a bit with this dynamic Aztec-print dress from Miss Selfridge. The bold patterns in bright shades of pink and purple are a perfect example of this season’s Tribal trend, while the scoop back and v-neck mesh front mean all eyes in the room are sure to be firmly on you.

Aztec-print dress from Miss Selfridge

Whimsical Wednesday

This fun little addition to our list is sure to brighten up your midweek mood with its cute colour combo of candy pink and tropical orange and easy-to-wear babydoll cut. If that’s not enough, you’ll also be working one of this season’s other key trends; colour blocking.

Candy pink and tropical orange babydoll cut dress

Trendsetting Thursday

Thursday is such a boring day. By this point, you’re fed up with work but it’s still a little too soon to start getting excited for the weekend, so you need something special to put the spark back into life, and thankfully we have just the trick.

This fantastically unique dress from Jane Norman is a complete show-stopper, with its edgy metallic pin patterning, asymmetric shoulder detail and seductive cut out edges at the waist.

Unique shoulder dress from Jane Norman

Flirty Friday

It’s finally Friday and what else could we pick but the classic little black dress? This one from Jane Norman is bound to cause a scene with its figure-hugging ruched fit, eyecatching knotted bust detail and tie-up halterneck back.

Black halterneck dress from Jane Norman

Scarlet Saturday

This raunchy red number is perfect for a wild Saturday night out – with all of Sunday to recover! Every little detail has been styled to perfection, from the classic flattering high neck cut, to the leaf-esque cutout sections and the black, leather edged zip detailing at the back.

Raunchy red high neck cut dress

Saintly Sunday

Sunday’s dress from Miss Selfridge is a balanced blend of glamour and sophistication, with its ultra feminine pearly bow detailing and tie-back waist in a subtle neutral shade of floaty fabric. One of the rare items of clothing that you and your grandparents will both love, which is exactly what you need on a Sunday.

Pearly bow detailing and tie-back waist dress from Miss Selfridge

Enjoyed an action-packed week wearing Centrale’s top fashion finds? There’s much more where that came from – with Centrale’s huge array of stylish stores you could probably even pick out a gorgeous new outfit for every single day of the year! See ours blogs on summer fashion styles and top swimwear trends.

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Beauty tips, Celeb style Cutting Edge summer hairstyles at Centrale

By Centrale | April 16, 2012

Are you ready to look your best this summer?

We’ve done our hair-style homework and now we present you with our top summer styles for the season ahead with the help of our Centrale Shopping Centre based hair salon RUSH. From loose braids, through centre-partings to fabulous hair accessories here is the list of the hottest cutting edge styles from the past year:

Cuts from the Catwalk

If you’ve caught glimpse from any of the fashion show events in 2011/2012 you might have seen that lengths and cuts were all over the place from teased side ponytails to big 80’s hair styles. The free and casual look seems to be winning the war against the super neat precision cuts.

The classic bob is a cut that can be tailored to suit your face, often considered a look for the individual that incorporates curves and sharp lines. The runways were rife with fringe cuts too. Fringes can add elegance and make bold statements. The most popular fringe style seems to be brought forward into the eye.

The crop also made frequent appearances. The crop is based on natural movement and volume. Go for broken edges and textures that highlight and compliment your hair’s natural flow. Harry Potter star and all-around glamour girl Emma Watson was seen sporting the pixie crop look last year.

Hairstyle Revival

This year’s hairstyle and fashion trends are all about revival! Rich colour and retro 80’s cuts are definitely hot news for hair this summer. The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s are making a big comeback in fashion and hair too.

Short haircuts are taking their influences from 1960’s styles, while mid-length haircuts are being swayed by the 1970’s chic. The precision cuts of 2010 have made way for big and bold 80’s hair. Cheryl Cole and Sarah Jessica Parker seem to be leading the trend for big hair on either side of the Atlantic.

When it comes to summer colour the words to look out for are “bold” and “asymmetrical.” Strawberry and platinum blond hues; dramatic chunks of pastel colour; bright and vibrant highlights; it’s all about making a statement.

Celebrity Hairstyle Trends

Inspiration can always be found from Hollywood in terms of fashion and hair trends where image is everything and a trendy ‘do can change your look in an instant.  So what’s hot in the Hollywood Hills this summer?

Uptown chic is in where stars like Jessica Alba are going for super straight layered or bob hair; a simple and seductive look for women who have medium or long hair.

The long wavy hairstyles are 80’s throwbacks that never really go out of style. Keeping your hair long boosts femininity but requires high maintenance. Kim Kardashian is one of the many celebrities making glamour her first priority. Christina Hendricks has gone for the waves styling her trademark flame red locks with soft, gentle waves curled under to frame her face.

And that’s what’s on the cutting edge of the hair trends this season. RUSH Hair Salon at Centrale can help you master any of these looks this summer.

It’s time for a change in style.

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Must-have products Spend an evening in with Centrale this Easter

By Centrale | April 2, 2012

This Easter brings with it excitement for the kids, stress for the parents and some bank holiday freedom to everyone else to go out and party! However, not every night is right for going out. Sometimes you just want to stay in and enjoy a good film or television show with family or friends. At Centrale shopping centre we understand that very much. Here’s a list of what’s new on DVD, what’s coming soon and what’s hot in the HMV sales this Easter…

New releases

TIN TIN: SPIRIT OF THE UNICORN is Steven Spielberg’s latest effort and first animated film. Anyone familiar with the comic strip chronicles of Tin Tin will rejoice in this faithful big screen adaptation full of wit and wonder. It’s a great way to introduce your children to a classic and beloved character from your own youth. Pick up your copy for £10.99.

“All I need are the boots,” purrs the title character of PUSS  IN BOOTS as voiced by Antonio Banderas in what might just be his greatest ever role! It’s like watching him play Zorro again, but as an animated tabby cat. The jokes fly thick and fast in this tall tale of cat-fighting and romance that should please kids and adult alike. You may also be pleased by the price at £12.99.

For the more adult audiences out there you may find more interest in settling down to watch (and then becoming distinctly unsettled) THE THING. This is a prequel to John Carpenter’s 80’s classic of the same name showing the lead-up to events in Antarctica that brought the shape-shifting alien horror to life in the first place. While not a patch on Carpenter’s seminal and terrifying original, it’s still a blast full of chills and thrills. Not a film to watch with food however! Feed your fears for £9.99.

Best of the sales

We have found some serious heavyweight films for £3.00 each in the sales. Choice picks include SEX AND THE CITY 2 starring SJP & co. as the infamous New York foursome on a rather controversial holiday; KICK-ASS, the cult superhero black comedy that was one of the biggest surprises of the last few years thanks to its wit, timing and clever visuals; and one of the most worthy crime dramas in some years, THE TOWN with Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner, which went on to prove that actors can successfully write, direct and star without having to be Clint Eastwood.

Coming this April

Your mission should you choose to accept it is to check out Tom Cruise in the best Mission: Impossible yet! MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL may sound like a B-movie of the highest order but it is in fact a return to form after two dud previous instalments. It’s fast, furious, funny and totally impossible! Just the way it should be. Expect the impossible to come out on 30/04/12 at HMV for £12.99. This release date and price will self-destruct in 5 seconds…

For those of you looking for something darker and infinitely more complex we can’t recommend enough the bleak mystery of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO directed by visionary filmmaker David Fincher and starring Daniel “007” Craig and Rooney Mara as the title character. It’s a very tough film to get through but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You can meet the Girl and her Dragon Tattoo on 23/04/12 for £10.99.

This Easter between Centrale and HMV, Croydon we have you covered for your night’s-in!

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Fashion trends Confident colour trends to watch out for this Spring

By Centrale | March 26, 2012

Colour is catching fire in the fashion world in time for Spring 2012. Designers and shop outfitters are showcasing a range of styles and lifestyles from contemporary to classic. Strong, defined colours are coming back and will be perfect for reflecting differing moods, vibes, occasions and impressions. Vivid brights, muted tones, fun-loving pastels, you name it, colour is king this year. At Centrale shopping centre we’ve put our finger on the fashion pulse to get a first look at what colour styles will be leading the charge this spring.

Tangerine tango

Oh yes, you know when you’ve been tango’d. Never has the phrase been truer than now. This provocative, blindingly brazen and bright orange style is a vivacious look for anyone with a great confidence in their fashion sensibilities. Representing the trend at Centrale is this Nuovo Drop Waist Coat from French Connection. It’s a vintage throwback to the sixties silhouette style with buckle detail and tab feature cuffs. Its stunning orange aura is Tangerine Tango all the way! It’s on sale for £65.00 right now.

Solar Power

Providing a jolt of positive and bright energy to any wardrobe is the Solar Power style for spring where yellow is brought in to shine a light on all the monochrome madness of last year! This look radiates warmth and cheer. We found these Whisper Mustard Wedge Shoes at Miss Selfridge that give you practical comfort and Solar Power style without overdoing it. Find a pair for your tootsies for £32.00.

Soladite Blue

It’s not all about brightness though. The Soladite Blue style brings calmness and balance to the spring wardrobe. It’s about adding a classical touch to the contemporary pallet. T.K. Maxx has plenty of classical mixed in with the contemporary, which is where we found this Blue V Neck Dress for day or evening wear. It’s a classy purchase at £28.00 and looks good on any girl.

Cabaret

Getting back to the more extravagant colour styles we reach the aptly named Cabaret. Going Proudly Pink is not just for girly-girls anymore. Take for instance this pink Floozie shoulder bag at Debenhams for £39.00. It’s got two shoulder straps with a tassel charm design and is Cabaret pink to its very being. This is a sensually styled bag that needs the shoes to match.

Being confident with colour is part of the trade-off here. Just as colour blocking presented its own challenge last year now we are seeing single colour combinations taking centre stage for spring and summer 2012. These are just some of the ideas that we had while browsing our range of favourite Centrale stores. Keep your eyes out for great finds and please let us know if you spot the things we didn’t! We might even post your fashion picks up on our Facebook wall.

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Fun stuff, Must-have products What’s the soundtrack to your life?

By Centrale | March 19, 2012

Have you ever thought about what the soundtrack to your life would sound like? What songs would best define you? Centrale shopping centre has decided to seek out some of the most sensational sounds available right now to see if we can find you those songs and albums to live your life to.

HMV Croydon… we love you!

New releases

In light of the BRIT awards having played us through in late February here’s the ultimate compilation album comprised of some of the biggest pop talents of the last few years including Adele, Chase & Status, Lana Del Rey, Florence & the Machine plus legendary artists like David Bowie, U2 and Queen. It’s a 3cd epic collection for £11.99.

Three of (arguably) the best albums from last year

Adele “21”

This show-stopping album from local London girl made good, Adele, goes a long way to confirming her status as a true star. Her first album “19” was one of the best debut albums of the last few years, so it was a tough act to follow and while the tracks this time around are not as polished, Adele still belts out the numbers with all the soulfulness and power of a seasoned diva.  The already legendary song “Rolling in the Deep” has been playing on an endless loop ever since release as has the deeply emotional “Someone like you”. You know it’s a hit when you can download it as a ringtone! A quirky bossa nova cover of the Cure’s “Lovesong” and original salt’n’sass track “Rumour Has It” are the other highlights on a very good sophomore album. £8.99 at HMV.

Cee-Lo Green “The Lady Killer”

The vocals on the 2005 summer-smash “Crazy” were sung by none other than the Lady Killer, Cee-Lo Green himself. For years he’s worked as a vocalist standing in the shadows but now he’s stepping out into the limelight to get the credit he deserves. The most famous track on this album is also the one that has two versions due to its expletive title – most radios play it as “Forget You” – and it’s a diamond of a kiss-off song. Instrumental bursts and expansive string arrangements give it a true cinematic vibe. Cee-Lo may have been in the biz for more than 20 years, but he’s just getting started! The Lady Killer is a killer album. £4.99 at HMV.

Lady Gaga “Born This Way”

It’s not summer without Gaga in the mix is it? The wonderfully deranged and archly wacky pop star has been steadily climbing the glass tower of superstardom for the past few years now. Now that she’s at the top, it’s a long way down if she slips and falls now. “Born This Way” is a mixed bag that will please the die-hards but it won’t convert the unbelievers. The most accessible song on the album is “Americano,” a Hispanic upgrade of “Alejandro” riffing on “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” There’s the expected bizarre Gaga here with plenty of club-pleasing tracks and a few pure emotion laced throughout, particularly in the wonderful serenade “The Edge of Glory.” £4.93 from HMV.

So have you figured out what the soundtrack to your life is yet? We invite you to come and find the songs that define you at Centrale shopping centre.

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Fun stuff, General, Hot events Andy Abraham to visit Centrale on Saturday!

By Centrale | March 16, 2012

Saturday this week, sees Andy Abraham visiting us here at Centrale to sing some soul music ahead of his concert at Fairfield Halls.

Andy as many will know, shot to fame with his beautiful voice on X Factor and since taking part has gone from strength to strength, with tours and of course a sell out show at the Royal Albert Hall.

He’s a singer, songwriter and all round entertainment genius and has a voice that you really shouldn’t miss.

Will record sales exceeding half a million and deemed as the man that encompasses music’s  ‘golden age’, he is also known very much as the man of the people.

Andy has released three albums – Impossible Dream in 2006, Soul Man in 2006 and Even If in 2008.

Therefore, it is with great excitement that Centrale is looking forward to welcoming Andy and a voice that is deemed as the very best in soul today.

Quite impressive for a man that started out as a bin man!

See Andy between Midday and 1pm on Saturday 17th March at Centrale Croydon and enjoy a free show while you shop!

Oh and in case you don’t know – parking at Centrale is from £2.00 for 2 hours!  See our Getting Here page for travel info.

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Fun stuff, General, Must-have products Mother’s Day Gifts for £20 or Less!

By Centrale | March 14, 2012

Our Mums spend so much of their time looking out for and looking after us – and it’s nearly that time of the year when we should show them how much that means to us.  It’s no secret, however, that these are tough times for all of us where money is concerned… So how can you really treat your Mum without breaking the bank?

Here at Centrale, we’ve done the work for you!  We’ve trawled through our stores to bring you the best of the best value gifts, all for £20 or less.  Even if you don’t find the perfect gift here, you might well be inspired to browse and find something wonderful yourself!

Any self-respecting Mum likes to look her best, and her jewellery collection would no doubt reflect that.  But all those little bits of glitz and glamour need somewhere safe to be kept when they’re not being used to look fabulous – how convenient that Debenhams has a selection of jewellery stands and boxes!  With a range of values and capacities it’s easy to be spoilt for choice.  We recommend the cute and compact Blue Button jewellery box from Vicenza, which Debenhams are selling for £20.  It’s modern, it’s practical and it’s perfect for travel too – what’s a Mum not going to love?

We’ve taken a closer look at The Fragrance Shop too – because all Mums deserve a bit of pampering every so often!  And with our choice picks, you can certainly afford to make her feel fabulous.  Take a look at this Ghost Edt Gift set, for example.  Combining fragrances of rose petals, jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood in a spray and body lotion set for £19.99, you can’t really go wrong.  If you don’t think that’s quite perfect for her, though, The Fragrance Shop has a massive selection of perfumed products sure to appeal – such as this Joy of Pink Edt Gift Set by Lacoste with all its fruity tones.

While you’re in Centrale, don’t forget to take a look at the selection of accessories on sale in House of Fraser – from bracelets and bangles to sunglasses and umbrellas, there’s sure to be something to suit both your Mum and your budget!  Accessories can be a brilliant highlight on an outfit, used to really finish off a look.  At House of Fraser, there’s such a range of colours and styles that there’s bound to be something that you think would do your Mum justice.  The Phase Eight Beaded Bracelet, for instance, would go well with almost any outfit and set it off beautifully for only £12.

Alternatively, there’s always the failsafe Mother’s Day gift in chocolate… With both Lindt and Ferrero Rocher on sale, pop back to Debenhams for a sure-fire chocolatey success.

See?  There’s no need to go bankrupt to show your Mum you care – after all, it’s the thought that counts!  Do remember to check in-store at Centrale Croydon to make sure any items you’re interested in are in stock.

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