The Whitgift Centre is hunting for Croydon residents who turn 40 this year as it celebrates four decades of business in the town centre.

A new website celebrating the shopping centre’s anniversary has been set up offering fellow 40-year-olds the chance of winning a makeover, as well as tips on how to stay stylish as they move into middle-age.

A trio of ambassadors have also been appointed by the centre in its 40th year, who will use an online blog to advise customers on shopping and style trends and keep them up to date about events at the centre.

Whitgift Centre director Andrew Bauer said: “We’re about to reach a key milestone of our time here in Croydon, so we thought what better way to do this then by launching a new microsite where our shoppers, who may also be coming of age, can go and share their thoughts and memories of how the centre has changed over the years - as well as pick up style advice.

“The 40-year-old shopper plays quite an important role in the shopping world.

“They often have the highest income and influence over what shops sell, so online we’re here to address that balance that may sometimes be over looked in glossy magazines.”

The shopping precinct was officially opened by the Duchess of Kent in 1970, after two years of shops moving into the 1.3m sq ft building in stages.

A number of celebratory weekend giveaways are planned by the centre to lead up to its big 40th birthday party in October.

More details will be available on the new website, fashionableand40.com.