Kennards of Croydon: The Store that Entertained to Sell: A History of a Debenhams Store

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First opening in 1862, the store became the first flagship store of a chain across England, after Joshua Allder established it in Croydon. This lido had a cross-shaped pool measuring 200ft by 73ft and was something of a trailblazer in London. Sadly for the young children of Croydon, the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 forced the zoo to close and the animals were found safe lodgings elsewhere. A brand new pet shop, on the second floor was opened. It had space, light and carpet on the floor and about ten tropical fish tanks in a window bay.

Built in 1935 it was one of the first outdoor pools to boast heating and had lighting on the floors. Zodiac was actually a chain of toy shops with stores around the UK but Croydonians were very loyal to their branch. So we decided to ask you for your fond memories of some of the pubs, clubs, bars and shops from years gone by that have bitten the dust.Agatha Christie featured Croydon in her novel Death in the Clouds, which involves the mysterious death of a French moneylender, as her plane comes in to land at Croydon Airport. There's also a book by Freeman Wills Crofts called The 12.30 from Croydon, in which there's another peculiar fatality on a flight — this one setting off from Croydon Airport. Just as well they shut the place down, what with all those sky-high murders...

This was of course later expanded and renamed Centrale. This store continued to anchor the centre until Debenhams announced its closure in 2020. As Croydon was regenerated after World War One, the iconic Savoy Theatre was built at 225 London Road.

Blue Orchid

If you think the pneumatic railway sounds like a damp squib, wait until you hear about some of Croydon's other great inventions. Among the gizmos coined by Croydonites are: the 'baby billiard table'; the' water bike'; a basket for milk bottles that can be attached to your letterbox; and the 'man-lifting kite'. Now we can hardly imagine life without them... 4. Charlie Chaplin was once kidnapped at Croydon Airport Kinematograph Weekly, 13 October 1921. From British Newspaper Archive Be this as it may, some of the animals were not always confined to their cages. In the mid-1930s a cheetah was on display in the restaurant where it, together with no doubt some slightly nervous diners, were serenaded by Ida Santerelli and her female band. Ruth Pathalias: Kennedy's! I used to go there every weekend with my dad after a visit to Surrey Street Market! They just don't do butchers like that anymore! Opening on North End, it was supposed to be a store selling linen and silk, with special offers on silk dresses, buttons and ribbons. If Turtles is the shop we are most nostalgic about, perhaps Joe Bananas is the bar we all get teary eyed over.