Croydon Council submits bid for £20m funding to regenerate town centre

Croydon Council has applied for £20m of government Levelling Up funding, with plans to transform the town centre to bring in more visitors and create an enjoyable area for residents.

Improvements have been proposed for several parts of the borough, including East and West Croydon, Fairfield, Wellesley Road, Old Town, South End and North End.

Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, has said he wants to see positive changes to the environment, such as more green spaces, pedestrianised zones and cycle paths.

The bid also laid out plans to enhance connections between Croydon’s central hubs, retail and residential districts and forgotten areas of town.

He said: ‘I am determined to bring much needed investment to Croydon, starting with our bid for almost £20m of Levelling Up funding, which would firmly put town centre regeneration back on track, making us a destination where people want to live, work and visit. With this funding, we plan to make necessary changes to reconnect, refresh, revitalise and regenerate key areas of our town centre – restoring a sense of local pride in Croydon.’

If successful Croydon Council will redesign pedestrian and road layouts and remove town centre subways to make the streets more people-friendly.

There are also plans to create clearer routes through the town centre, with public spaces set to opened up and made into ‘plaza’ style areas, incorporating public art, markets and space for cultural events.

Matthew Sims, Chief Executive, Croydon BID said: ‘The Levelling Up bid is an indication of our passion for Croydon and determination to reconnect and regenerate the local area in a lasting way. If successful, this funding will act as a catalyst for greater change and investment, and in turn support our joint efforts for local economic recovery. The business community has got behind the bid with wide ranging support including that of Marks & Spencer, The Ludoquist Café, Boxpark, Mott MacDonald, London South Bank University, Legacy Youth zone, Crisis and many more, as we work together to strengthen Croydon as a destination where businesses can thrive.’

The work would prioritise local assets, such as Fairfield Hall and London South Bank University, with aims to attract further investment to take the proposals further.

Photo by Victor Cudjoe