The popular Woolworths store in Croydon, on North End, was the only store that continued to trade in its original location, opened by Frank Woolworth himself on May 4, 1912. This lido had a cross-shaped pool measuring 200ft by 73ft and was something of a trailblazer in London. The Beatles played there the night of March 21, 1963, and their first album, Please Please Me, was released the following day. Opening in 1934, you may have once upon a time been there for dates or trips out with friends. Sadly it closed on May 13, 1999 and was reopened as residential flats. The store proudly advertised their new venture as "the first real zoo ever to be seen in Croydon". Although many of the animals featured were quite docile, a large notice warned that the store would not accept responsibility "for what may happen if people will poke their fingers through the bars!".

It couldn't last forever though. In 1928, Kennards was bought by the Drapery Trust around the time that Debenhams had acquired Drapery Trust. But whilst its true that after the Second World War, business declined, the store was not rebranded as a Debenham's store until 1973. This was of course later expanded and renamed Centrale. This store continued to anchor the centre until Debenhams announced its closure in 2020. James Mcblane: The Forum pub. It was always nice gliding up sideways on the travelator. The butchers' on Frith Road with sawdust on the floor and a separate pay kiosk. Kennedy's RIP. Read More Related ArticlesMark Fisher: Cinderella's in Purley. I saw Queen on their Crazy Lil Thing Called Love tour. Van Damme bar in Surrey Street, Littlewoods, Grants and Allders. Great childhood memories.

It was a favourite for kids parties and, as strange as it looked on the outside, it’s presence is missed. And there's so many places in Croydon which we will all remember from our younger days that no longer exist.

We all like to think nights out were better when we were in our prime - even if plenty of evenings out ended in tears or, even worse, a kebab shop. That's right, before Norwood Junction was Norwood Junction, it was named Jolly-sailor — after the local boozer. And the Jolly-sailor played a particularly interesting role in rail history; it was part of Croydon's atmospheric railway — a pioneering, if ultimately flawed, piece of kit that propelled trains from one pumping station to the next, via a vacuum in a pipe laid in between the rails, attached to a piston on the bottom of the train. (Jolly-sailor was home to one such pumping station). The railway was opened in 1845, but shut down by 1847 — in part due to the fact rats kept gnawing through the equipment. 3. Lots of mediocre things were invented by Croydonites Debbie Burgess: Yates, Joe Banana's, Allders, C&A, Woolworths, and the Blue Orchid, where I met my partner, still together 20 years and 3 children later! Read More Related Articles There must have been a park for the pony rides because I do recall taking a pony several times and was so keen, going into a work closeby. My keenness dwindled as one day the saddle was loose and I was sliding off the horse and too shy to tell the lady, gripping on for dear life. She eventually turned round and was horrified, gave me extra time, which I would normally have enjoyed but not this time. 😫

David James: Tiffany’s in Purley. Sunday night Capital Radio DJ Greg Edwards' show called best disco in town. One of its most memorable features was the full length windows which ran the length of the store – a very unique feature at the time of its opening. Opening on North End, it was supposed to be a store selling linen and silk, with special offers on silk dresses, buttons and ribbons.He told a reporter that he would always remember the day he left as "ironic", as it was the day Elvis Presley died.