The old Milk & More dairy site in Brighton Road, Purley, is set to be transformed into a retail unit and 20 studio spaces for local creatives.

The designs received huge support from the Purley community and have been given the green light by Croydon Council’s planning department.

The regeneration of this vacant site supports Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to regenerate the borough, attract inward investment and create jobs for the benefit of Croydon’s communities.

The three buildings of the former dairy, which have locally listed frontages, will be sensitively repaired and restored, bringing them back into public use. The new additions will be set back from the former dairy frontages and are designed to celebrate their heritage.

The retail unit is anticipated to be used by Marks & Spencer for a new Foodhall, which is within the Purley Business Improvement District. The development will create about 120 new jobs for local residents, including 55 at the supermarket.

The site will also deliver a new creative hub for locals – with 20 individual studios and two large open-plan studios, all located above the 68-space car park. The studios are intended to support innovation and enterprise in Croydon and the flexible ways of working in the creative industries.

The planning application was submitted by developer Grove Property, who worked with Marks & Spencer on the design of the store and consulted extensively with residents and other stakeholders. A total of 96% of respondents in Purley supported Grove Property’s consultation, and 582 representations were received in support of the planning application.

The new Foodhall will contribute to Marks & Spencer’s presence in the borough, with existing stores located in the town centre – Whitgift Centre in North End – and the recently opened full line store on Purley Way.

“This Brighton Road project is a great example of investors working closely with the Croydon community, Council and commercial partners, to design a regeneration project that delivers for all. I’m delighted that we will see these historic buildings restored and brought back into use, whilst retaining their heritage.

“The approach by Marks & Spencer to open a new Foodhall in Purley signals that this is an area that retailers want to invest in. I welcome the 120 jobs the development proposals will create locally, as well as the many opportunities the creative studios will bring to entrepreneurs and the Croydon economy.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Nick Snashall, of Grove Property, added: “Having acquired the site from Milk & More our vision was to breathe new life into the area. Working closely with Croydon Council & M&S to bring the application proposal forward has enabled us to do this, and we are excited to enter the delivery phase of this project, which will bring much needed inward investment and new job opportunities to the area.”

William Smith, Property Director at M&S, said: “We’re reshaping M&S for growth and making sure we have the right stores in the right space to deliver the best possible shopping experience for customers. We are delighted to open a brand-new M&S Foodhall in Purley, creating some 55 jobs for the local community.”

“The show stopping store will support local suppliers and will offer shoppers a fresh market style Foodhall brimming with fresh produce, sourced from M&S’ Select Farm Partners.”