CENTRALE owners Hammerson have launched a bid to take over the running of the Whitgift Centre.

Under the Hammerson proposals, Whitgift and Centrale could merge, to create a single shopping experience in a bid to make Croydon one of the top five retail destinations in the country.

The retail giant has declared its hand in response to a decision from Whitgift co-owners Anglo Irish and Royal London Asset Management, to sell their stakes in the centre.

The two organisations have instructed investment management specialists LaSalle to find a preferred bidder.

Last month, the Advertiser reported how Australian firm Westfield had struck a deal with the landowner, the Whitgift Foundation, to potentially take over the running of the centre.

But last week's announcement places this agreement into doubt, because Anglo Irish's stake in the Whitgift includes the rights to manage the centre.

Westfield is expected to enter a bidding war for this stake, but Hammerson strongly believes it has the upper-hand, having already proved its credentials by splashing out £100m on acquiring Centrale earlier this year.

The Advertiser understands Hammerson would like to combine the Whitgift and Centrale centres under a single name, which could be decided by a public consultation.

It is also keen to lure John Lewis to the town centre and bring what it calls "civic pride" back to Croydon, by packaging the town's retail offering under one umbrella.

David Canzini, project director at Hammerson, told the Advertiser: "We have invested £100 million in purchasing Centrale and are now investing another £50 million to improve it to 21st century retail standards.

"In addition we are planning to bid for a stake in the Whitgift Centre, so that we may participate in a co-ordinated redevelopment of the centre as part of Croydon's overall retail offer."

A joint statement released by the current owners last week said: "As part of the ongoing negotiations over the future of Croydon's Whitgift Centre, Royal London Asset Management and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Assurance Company have jointly instructed LaSalle to advise on the strategic development options in respect of their majority leasehold ownership of the premises."

It adds: "LaSalle will approach a number of potential partners, each of which will be invited to submit proposals for the redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre, one of London's largest retail and mixed-use premises."

The final decision on a preferred partner will be announced in early 2012.

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