The Australian developer Westfield said it was holding talks with the charity which owns the Whitgift in Croydon.

BBC: Westfield mulls Croydon Whitgift shopping centre move

His store is based in the Centrale shopping centre, owned by Hammerson and across the road from the Whitgift centre.

BBC: Westfield unveils plans for Croydon shopping centre

Westfield has had its eye on the south London town since 2011 when it began talks to revamp the Whitgift Centre.

BBC: Croydon shopping centres in ?1bn regeneration plan

Despite being airlifted by the Solent Coastguard helicopter shortly after the accident, the Whitgift School pupil died from his injuries on the way to hospital in Southampton.

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They contained some 1, 000 volumes, made up of 1, 400 publications, many from the collections of three 17th century archbishops of Canterbury - John Whitgift, Richard Bancroft and George Abbot.

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The joint venture will also purchase a 25% interest in the Whitgift Centre, following completion of Hammerson's conditional acquisition agreement with Royal London, which had a 155-year head lease on it.

BBC: Croydon shopping centres in ?1bn regeneration plan

Plans have also been drawn up to revamp the centre of Croydon over the next few years, including the area around the Whitgift, which is 1.2m sq ft (111, 484 sq m) in size.

BBC: Westfield mulls Croydon Whitgift shopping centre move