Retail entrepreneur saves historic Croydon department store
Retail entrepreneur Clive Coombes has taken over the former Allders of Croydon department store.
Allders closed its doors for the last time in 2012 after 150 years of trading. The site has most recently been trading as Croydon Village Outlet although its owners went into administration earlier this year.
Coombes, who specialises in retail turnarounds, is to re-launch the store under the brand name Zervo.
The new store will sell fashion, jewellery, gifts, perfume and footwear, as well as furniture, toys and travel accessories. The store will also include a range of concessions.
Never Miss a Retail Update!In a statement Zervo said the move had saved at least 90 jobs. Coombes is also working with a recruitment company to make jobs available to ex-service personnel.
The new store will open on Friday. Zervo added: “Zervo will return to Croydon a department store offering a broad expanse of consumer goods at extremely competitive prices.”
