TOUR OF ALLDERS OF CROYDON, 2012 | Just Days Before Closing FOREVER

One of the biggest department stores in London is closing with the loss of 850 jobs.
Allders has been open in Croydon since 1862 and became the flagship store of a chain across England.
But it went into administration in June. When a buyer for the firm could not be found 22 September was announced as the last day of trading.
Croydon Council said the stricken firm had been unable to raise enough working capital.
Administrators Duff & Phelps said: "We recognise that the store is an historic and iconic landmark in the local community.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Allders, the concession partners, Croydon Council and the landlord Minerva for their continued support throughout the administration trading period."
Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher said: "We're tremendously sad.
"It has been part of the town for a very long time.
"Unfortunately, Allders has been unable to keep up with the competition in the modern retail market."
Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for Croydon Central, has called it a "heavy blow" for the town following the riots in Croydon last year and Nestle's decision to leave in January.

[@paulanewland2533]

Really sad. I’m sitting on my Allders sofa which is 20 years old watching this. The day Allders closed ripped the heart out of Croydon. I still miss it all these years later

[@mark1968]

Croydon has never been the same since Allders closed its doors. I remember going there as a child (in the 1980s) and having a steak and kidney pie meal in their massive restaurant on the top floor. It was all freshly made on the premises (none of this pre-made rubbish you get these days) You really could lose yourself in Allders - it was that big. Happy memories.

[@justaman7745]

I USE TO SHOP IN C&A WHEN I WAS IN MY TEEN'S, IT WAS A VERY GOOD STORE. IT'S SAD TO SEE ALLDERS, BHS, WOOLWORTHS, C&A, LITTLEWOODS GONE FROM CROYDON. WORSE TIMES CAME TO CROYDON DURING LONDON RIOTS, THEY BURNT DOWN THE FURNITURE SHOP. I HOPE CROYDON IMPROVES, AND ALL THIS KNIFE CRIME GOES, LET'S HOPE THE YOUNG KIDS CHANGE CROYDON IN FUTURE.

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

I didn't realise it was closed until I tried to go upstares.

[@rajnirvan3336]

Croydon itself is a shadow of its former self. 90s and 2000s were my regular visits

[@peterdudley9869]

The final closing days of a retail giant that sadly is no more. RIP Allders Dept Stores. Went here all the time as a kid, saw Santa in his magical grotto. Allders made Croydon.

[@robertatkinson7501]

Thank ~You !!!!! I worked at Allders for 11 years starting from 1979 I met my wife there, And so many friends it was a magnificent place which initially treated staff really well! Under Peter Saunders the MD ( a people man) Im now 50 and have 9 jobs under my belt, most better paid than Allders! ~BUT THAT WAS MY BEST TIME OF MY LIFE a fantastic family DEDICATED to service- which we now lack in high street shopping!

[@Skaterbun]

Check out youtuber Beno lifts video taken a year ago called Urbex in Allders Croydon. The place is a decaying mess now. Beno investigated the entire building inside and came across all the staff personnel files which some idiot leaving the building forgot to shred. Copies of passports, photos dates of birth the lot. These records need retrieving and destroying as I would hate it if my records fell into the wrong hands!

[@cancerfour69er]

I'm 49+ Croydon born 1969 raised Oakfield Road..Allders was A Great Place To Run Up And Down And Around In..Xx

[@qamerashah]

I remember changing buses right in front of Allders in the 80s on the way home from college especially recall the beautifully decorated windows during Christmas . I moved to the States in ‘86 but so glad that folks have captured these memories

[@piperbob2]

Allders was the jewel in Croydon's crown. No Turtles, no Woolworths, no In-Shops (later called Tramms), just to name a few, and now no Allders.

[@679hot]

iam 48 and i can remember taking my brother to see father christmas at allders.he is now 37.the nativerty seen in allders shop window was fantastic and i used to look forwood to the christmas seen in the allders shop window.so sad that allders/woolworths/hmv ect have all gone

[@cancerfour69er]

48 5 yes ago. Now 53..I'm 49 going 50 born in queen street hospital 1969/4/7july..Xx

[@paulanewland2533]

I remember those Christmas windows in the 1970s from the top deck of my bus. They were beautiful

[@dfg1999]

Mr. Bean brought me here.

[@euvi85]

Kine Phile me too

[@jonnelponesto813]

Me too in the return of mr bean.

[@GMW.artist]

Mr Bean was filmed at Allders of Sutton and at Arding and Hobbs in Clapham,, NOT at Allders of Croydon ✌🏽😎

[@rajnirvan3336]

Heartbreaking 😢. Sad seeing this building left to rot. It has apparently been boarded up with art. I haven’t been here in a few years but must see

[@MrOrcshaman]

I came here remembering the Allders in my town as a kid, ours closed years before the chain collapsed but I still remember it as a kid, the warm lighting, always loved the lighting section for some reason, felt sad seeing it closed. Now debenhams is closing, though I don't feel as bad about that fact, I saw allders as a store most people could afford something from unlike debenhams which was always overpriced.

[@Croydonization]

Great comment and memories- thank you!

[@immrchris]

I worked there in the 80's ahh happy days

[@brendawest4078]

As I sit watching this with great sadness I am sitting in the light of my Scwarofski crystal chandeliers . I have never seen a lighting department before or since to rival it Croydon without Allders is without its soul !!

[@nelsonricardo3729]

I'm American and know of Allders on through Mr. Bean. Shame, it seemed like a nice mid-market store.

[@loopiewho]

i bought so many things from alders which i still have got now and still working and going strong ranging from my toaster my blender my cooker and lamps too tons of things good quality ,and always a full guarantee not like the 30 days you have now ,back then it was a full year +. but it was clean tidy smart the place was maintained well not like now croydon out let is a nasty dirty mostly disused closed off bomb site ,the place is a tip no class there now not even a loo ,its such a shame really miss alders

[@Kubulek17]

loopiewho smells absolutely disgusting too and it’s terrifying with all the dark corridors and closed of escalators

[@salllu]

And it's 30/07/2020 I am working as a security officer to look out for the empty building and this store is deserted....

[@chrisclose7793]

I loved going Christmas shopping at alders with my late mum such a big place could get lost in there

[@Skaterbun]

I just read above, no nestle. Croydon is dead. The riots were the nail in the coffin. How sad I have no hometown :(

[@jgee5094]

When the white pound left Croydon it just crumbled and now it's really run down. I was in town a few months ago and it's awful.

[@cancerfour69er]

Born 4/7/1969..ALLDERS WAS MY HOME RUN AROUND..Xx..That and Vanguard Estate When it was being Constructed...

[@samharradence5689]

I miss it so much.

[@alexk3948]

Sad times - loved that place

[@paulhunter123]

i always got lost in this fricking store always looking for up and down escalators and in the end just the dam exit

[@youlookingatme575]

R.I.P Allders 1862-2013

[@U2QuoZepplin]

Gosh I had forgotten that they used to do carpets in there. It's quite ironic when you see across the street to Debenhams too, because that is such an inferior shop. Aĺlders and House of Fraiser were in the same business but Allders was always a cut above the rest.

[@mark1968]

Sad to see the place all gone now.

[@robertatkinson7501]

I was a trainee manager for two years doing college the I ended up in furniture I was the fo 11 years total Sorry for delay in coming back to you

[@YellowDiamonds]

I think they're closing Debenham's too. 🤦‍♂️

[@YesYouKnowYourStuff]

How come it closed? Any one? Please. . Was it the increasing land value and the chance to re-develop the site? Does anyone know? Thank you. o0o

[@DavidMarfe]

They closed because failing sales and high rent on the land. It seems it was planned to get allders out for John Lewis/Westfield Redevelopment. But delays in planning and the site looking like a white elephant ment that the site became less and less a good investment on a developers point of view so 12 months after Allders closed Croydon Village Outlet opened. which was heavily backed by croydon council and the land owners. But once development plans were approved all support ended and Croydon village outlet went into administration. But landowner weren't happy with the deal so they halted any plans. Anyway I hear Allders is reopening online www.allders.com according to their facebook page they will return to the high street if Allders online is a success. Fingers crossed :)

[@makmakg242]

TIL Mr. Bean immortalized Allders

[@YellowDiamonds]

I used to come here as a kid to sit on the leather massage chairs haha

[@southlondonlad9144]

I remember going to Croydon as a small child in the 80s too and always going to Allders.

[@kroners]

Had a great bar

[@Jon-fh4tj]

Martin Smithers yeah it did, clock out and straight back up there

[@yoonaclaire]

I miss this from mr bean

[@olivereltoro]

Sad to see it go it was in a mr. Bean episode.

[@DavidMarfe]

I hear allders is returning www.allders.com

[@olivereltoro]

Yay, i just read it on facebook

[@lifeoftravel7008]

Mr.bean classic Shooting spot

[@GMW.artist]

I'll remember how fabulous it was in the 1980's thanks... this "Allders" wasn't Allders at all it was a shit-tip ..

[@cosmic687]

tragic

[@cliveevans9795]

Couldn't they saved it

[@MrSteeleification]

It was too expensive I'm afraid.

[@paulhunter123]

there was a gloryhole in the gents at the back of oylmpus sports dept in the mid 90s

[@davidmathews7941]

I worked at Allders In the late 70s It was a lovely time It was the it was a Beautiful STORE Happy times indeed Sadly Croydon is Now such a horrible Place How very sad

[@philipdawson3660]

Many a nice cock I had there fond memories