Immersive theatre and new shops are expected to take over Croydon’s Allders building which has stood empty for three years.

As soon as this Autumn, the old shopping outlet could provide “transformative social experiences,” according to an application lodged with Croydon Council.

The new addition to the town centre, known as LOST, will stage performances most nights of the week.

It has been created by Fabien Riggal who is behind Secret Cinema, an immersive cinema experiences which has take place across London.

The building has stood empty for three years since it was taken over by Croydon Council. In 2019 workers at what was the Croydon Village Outlet turned up to work to find the locks changed with no warning.

Plans show that part of the building will be used for an event themed around a rock music album with audiences moving through the space and interacting with the performers.

Shops as part of the plans would open every day of the week while shows would take place from Wednesday to Sunday. 

And on Friday and Saturday nights the building would be open until 2am.

The building was supposed to be redeveloped to form part of the Westfield shopping centre, but these plans have been “under review” for more than three years.

It is still owned by Croydon Council but is managed by the Croydon Partnership, a combination of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Hammerson.

A planning application for the three month change of use was only validated by Croydon Council on July 1 so is yet to be approved.

The application suggests that there will be more events throughout 2023 which would be subject to further planning applications.

Fabien Riggall, said: “We shall showcase new forms of art and entertainment alongside reinvented retail experiences.

"To be lost is to lose oneself in art, beyond digital culture, where we can connect in the real world, in deeper and more meaningful stories.”

While the Croydon Partnership’s development director, Simon Cochrane said the development would “set the tone for our longer term plans”.

Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said: “The arrival of this project will be the start of the change we want to make and an important boost for the local area, as a strong vote of confidence in the culture, communities, and connectivity that we know our borough has in abundance.”