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Croydon Council dramatically changed the locks and took possession of the Croydon Village Outlet this morning (Tuesday, July 16), after failing to reach an agreement with its owners.

Shop owners and staff were not able to get into the former Allders store after the council changed the locks overnight.

The council has compulsory purchased the site which is due to be demolished to make way for the £1.4 billion Westfield and Hammerson development, also on the Whitgift shopping centre.

It said it was forced to act because an "amicable solution" could not be reached with the previous owners.

It has said the Village Outlet building should be reopening soon after building surveys are carried out.

Tony Waters has worked as a security guard in the outlet and has been there for 43 years, back when it used to be Allders department store.

On Tuesday morning he came into work at about 7am for his 8am shift and found that the staff entrance was closed off with locksmiths changing all the locks.

The 64-year-old said: "There were a lot of vehicles and they had put a fence around the staff entrance.

"They said we wouldn't be able to go in and that they were taking the premises over. Apparently Croydon Council is doing checks in there.

"I am the only one that is working in my household and as far as I'm concerned I've not got a job now.

"Some of the concessions in there have money in their safes and can't get in to take it to the bank."

Mr Waters is part of a team of four security guards and says overall there are about 50 people working in the building.

A spokesman for Croydon Council, said: “Croydon Council has this morning taken possession of the Allders building, acquired through a compulsory purchase order to enable the Whitgift Centre retail redevelopment.

“The store and arcade is temporarily closed while statutory building surveys are undertaken and we are in continuous contact with all affected traders as we work to reopen the site.

“Great efforts to reach an amicable solution were explored and exhausted prior to the council seeking forcible possession and it is unfortunate an agreement could not be reached with the previous occupier.”

The Heart of Gaming arcade, which operates within part of the former Allders department store posted on its Facebook page that it would have to "reluctantly close" on Tuesday (July 16).

It described the situation as a "break down in agreements between the council and the centre manager/ landlord".

Building work on the Westfield Hammerson development is due to start in 2020 but has been subject to a series of delays. Earlier this year it was announced the scheme was being reviewed because of changes in the retail trade.