Shoreditch pop-up shopping mall Boxpark is to open a new site in Croydon next year.

The company announced this morning it is to start work "immediately" on the the mall, constructed of refitted shipper containers", next to East Croydon.

The original Boxpark, by Shoreditch High Street, launched in 2011 and has become almost synonymous with the area's fashionable image.

Its founder, Roger Wade, said he hoped the mall - which will accommodate small, independent retailers and restaurants - would play a similar role in Croydon after opening in summer 2016.

It is understood the temporary mall would be open for three years before giving way to Stanhope and Schroder's £500m Ruskin Square development.

Mr Wade said: "Croydon is one of the last London boroughs to be developed. Stratford, White City and Nine Elms have all seen recent new developments.

"I want everyone to re-think their view of Croydon. It's the home of Kate Moss, Tracey Emin, and now Boxpark.“

He added: "By offering flexible leases and affordable rents, Boxpark Croydon will offer small businesses, as well as established brands, a route to market. Start-up brands will also be given priority at Boxpark Croydon."

About 200 people will employed across the mall, Mr Wade said.

The announcement follows talks between Boxpark, Croydon Council, the Greater London Authority and property firms Stanhope and Schroder, who began work on Ruskin Square's first tower last year.

The mall, designed by Gavin Elliot, director of architecture at BDP, will have 80 units centered on a courtyard used for year-round events, as well as a click-and-collect service.

Mr Elliot said: “As a designer with a long-standing enthusiasm for creating memorable structures using upcycled shipping containers, working with Roger Wade and his team on Boxpark Croydon has been a dream commission.

"We are all intent on delivering something truly unique and amazing; building on the experience of Boxpark Shoreditch, but taking it to the next level and beyond to create a really vibrant, buzzing place, right in the heart of Croydon.”

Coun Alison Butler, the council's cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said: “This is great news for Croydon residents and a real sign of the progress and regeneration that is happening in our borough.

“Located at one of the main gateways to Croydon, it means that the moment people arrive they will immediately see the exciting transformation of our town centre taking place.

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Boxpark Croydon will be the retail company's second site

“Boxpark will help attract more visitors to the area and provide a fantastic alternative shopping experience. “We've seen how successful it has been in Shoreditch and we are really confident of replicating that here.”

Boxpark Croydon will sit at perimeter of the Ruskin Square site, dubbed the "Croydon gateway" by developers.

Construction firm Midgard started in September on the first phase of the Ruskin Square project, which will bring flats, offices, shops and restaurants onto wasteland that has laid largely empty for 15 years.

The 22-storey and nine-storey tower, encompassing 161 homes, are scheduled for completion in summer 2016.