Croydon: Arndale shopping centre, now Civic Square, slammed for old toilets and tight carparking

Shoppers busting for a pit stop at this centre might want to think about holding on given the state of the toilets. And it’s not the only issue that needs to be fixed.

The ageing toilets at Croydon's Civic Square Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied.

Shoppers at a revamped Croydon shopping centre say its toilets are “disgusting” and its carpark is confusing and too tight.

Croydon’s Civic Square Shopping Centre, commonly known as Arndale, recently had a minor facelift, in what was believed to be its first upgrades in nearly 30 years.

The upgrades — a new facade and signage — were first announced in 2017.

Its Woolworths supermarket has also been transformed and Terry White Chemist has moved into a bigger space next door.

But readers on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page have said its not enough, pointing out glaring problems with its public toilets and its carpark.

Melina Benger described the toilet area as: “a dirty dark hallway with more dirty disgusting doors”.

“I’m not sure about the men’s, but the ladies toilet is always dirty, broken, dark and dodgy”.

Maria Amato wrote: “The toilets area needs to be demolished and new facilities added. At the moment it is disgusting.”

Four of the six toilets were locked up when Leader visited on February 17, with the men’s toilet looking untidy, run down and covered with graffiti in some spots.

Nearby, trolleys were dumped together in two parts of the carpark as there was no collection point, despite the recent upgrades to the supermarket.

Dumped trolleys near the entrance of Croydon Civic Square Shopping centre, which doesn't have a collection bay in the carpark. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Leanne Hopkins wrote: “Have they put trolley bays in the car park yet? It’s a bit of a walk to take the trolley back in the store.”

Bob Kellett said the carpark was “insufficient and unsafe”, while Sophie Wood described it as “dangerous and squishy”.

Jason Sargeant wrote: “The car park is terrible, and I’m pretty sure they squeezed an extra spot in, because it is so narrow. Park here if you want panel damage.”

Others expressed safety concerns, with Irene Robinson saying the centre needed “lots of CCTV or security guards at night.”

Christine Stevens said there was no lighting outside the chemist at night and it was “a bit creepy especially with the mannequin in the corner shop window. I always park on the road so go past the chemist.”

Civic Square Shopping Centre’s managers, real estate firm Teska Carson, have been contacted for comment.