Wow. Look at Exchange Ilford. A bustling hub of activity it’s hard to believe this retail giant opened its doors on September 6 1991.
Exchange Ilford wasn’t always called that. For a time it was known as The Mall Ilford. The name changed sometime between late 2010 and early 2011. It’s undergone quite a transformation since then.
Originally owned by The Mall Fund it’s now under Capital & Regional’s ownership since 2017. They purchased it for a whopping 78 million pounds. That’s a lot of shopping bags.
The sheer scale of Exchange Ilford is impressive. Three levels boast 300000 square feet of retail space. That’s enough room for 90 stores and services. Imagine the variety. There are anchor tenants like Marks & Spencer Debenhams TK Maxx New Look and River Island. Plenty of other big names too. H&M Next Sports Direct and more. Plus a multi-story car park with over 1000 spaces.
The layout is a bit quirky though. The lower level isn’t directly accessible from Ilford High Road. You need to enter on the middle level. Then you can explore the full length of the mall. The upper level holds a food court. Moving between floors is easy with lifts stairs and escalators.
One of the more interesting tidbits is the Marks & Spencer story. It was once two separate stores divided by the mall. Customers could enter it from the High Road and from within the mall. A unique design indeed. One side closed in 2015 and is now occupied by Lidl. PureGym resides above it. A section above that is being redeveloped for an NHS medical facility. M&S now operates from just one remaining space.
TK Maxx had a similar split existence. It was two separate stores then expanded into one giant store. This separated the lower mall into three sections. Later in 2023 TK Maxx moved to the middle level. The former TK Maxx space now operates as Cranbrook Walk. A food-led specialty retail quarter.
Exchange Ilford is more than just shops. It’s a significant part of Ilford’s identity. It’s right opposite Ilford train station redeveloped for the Elizabeth Line’s 2022 launch. It’s convenient for shoppers. Plenty of buses serve the area too.
Exchange Ilford’s history is full of interesting changes and developments. It’s a place that keeps evolving. Its unique architecture and retail mix make it a fascinating landmark in East London. A vibrant shopping destination indeed.