The shop is written about in the Croydon Advertiser

The Shop has been reviewed in the Croydon Advertiser, a local Croydon newspaper:

by Dave Burke
dave.burke@essnmedia.co.uk

Shoppers in the Whitgift Centre are in for an unusual sight over the next few weeks, as an art gallery with a difference throws open its doors.

An empty shop has been handed over to pupils from the Brit School, who have been briefed to create an exhibition celebrating Croydon's history.For the whole time that artworks are being created, members of the public will be able to stroll in and see the budding Picassos and Van Goughs at work putting the display together.

Youngsters from the Selhurst school's art department have until May 14 to create their masterpieces.

Explaining the project, deputy head Simon Collins told the Advertiser: "It's very experimental, we've never done anything like this before.

"But this is the Brit School, we're all about doing unusual things.No one's been using this space for a long time, so we're aiming to put some life back into it."

Students on the school's BTEC art course will be swatting up on the history of Croydon, and have been told to use all the space in the former Legends beachwear store - close to the centre's Wellesley Road entrance - including all the changing rooms, the stairs and the counter.

Mr Collins said: "The building's got a lot of character, so it's really exciting. We've been told we can do what we want, as long as we return it in its original state at the end of May."

Nearly 30 pupils will be hard at work filling the space, and as they surveyed the task in hand, their excitement was obvious.

Nicole Bedborough, 16, said: "It's nice working here, it makes a change and it feels like we're being part of the community.When we come to making the final pieces, everyone's going to be on a real high."

Friend Antonia Ramsey, also 16, added: "It will be a lot different to what we're used to doing.
"It's exciting having members of the public coming in while we're working."

Bosses at the shopping centre hope the move will generate some excitement and draw people in.
Whitgift Centre director Andrew Bauer said: "I personally think that this project will fascinate our visitors and provide invaluable feedback to these top flight students, a win/win event for Croydon's residents and visitors."

Link to article:
http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/news/Brit-School-pupils-shop-Whitgift-Centre/article-890253-detail/article.html