by David Rees

newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk

Croydon shops are weathering the economic storm far better than most if visitor figures for the Whitgift Centre are anything to go by.

The number of people passing through the retail complex in Croydon has increased slightly in the last few months to over 500,000 shoppers per week.

That compares to an average drop in shopper numbers of seven per cent nationally.

Christopher Willans, director of Vale Retail, the company that manages the centre, says it is better placed to deal with the recession than its rivals.

He explained that this is due to the wide range of stores in the Whitgift Centre and the strength of Croydon as a retail centre.

Andrew Jones, duty manager at Marks & Spencer, in North End, agrees.

He said: "Things could be a hell of a lot worse."

While his store's sales have dropped over the past two years, they have evened out in recent months and are exceeding the financial forecasts.

However, Mr Hones warned: "Consumers are merciless at the moment.

"You really have to focus on what the customer wants."

Mr Willans added that the Whitgift Centre is in discussions with big-name companies, including "one of the world's most iconic retailers" to fill empty units.