Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Croydon Council kicks off £833k public realm improvement project, enhancing five district centres with funding from UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Following the Council’s successful application for £833k from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in 2024–2025, a program of work to improve five district centres throughout Croydon is scheduled to begin this month.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry provided financing for the initiatives in order to encourage local companies and job retention by drawing people to the district centers. West Croydon (London Road), New Addington, Thornton Heath, Selsdon, and Purley are the five places that will gain.
As outlined in the Mayor’s Business Plan 2022–2026, the initiatives will enhance the public realm and green areas, supporting the Executive Mayor’s aim of revitalizing and enhancing pride in the borough’s districts and town center.
The market square stage and the Central Parade boundary walls in New Addington will be renovated and enhanced to accommodate community gatherings.
The Octagon façade, which houses the New Addington Pathfinders, which offer support services throughout the district center and surrounding area, will undergo renovations.
Collier’s Water Lane in Thornton Heath will see the creation of a new learning garden where schoolchildren may learn about nature and food growth through gardening activities, raised bed maintenance, and micro-habitat observation.
The UKSPF cash will be used to establish a new market, power supply, and community events in West Croydon and along London Road. The London Road Traders Association is organizing the new weekend and night market on the forecourt of Harris Invictus Academy.
Improvements to district centers are also expected to increase foot traffic to Purley and Selsdon’s High Street shops. Improvements to Purley’s green spaces, lighting, and public art are all part of the Purley BID (Business Improvement District). Shop plaques will be installed to commemorate Selsdon’s 100th anniversary and new signage will help guide tourists to the High Street and nearby green areas.
To plan the projects, the Council has been collaborating with neighborhood associations and partners. Activities with students from Whitehorse Manor Schools’ Brigstock Site were part of the engagement process to learn what they wanted to see at the learning garden.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said:
“We are delighted that these projects are getting underway, which will help local businesses and communities across the borough with this welcome £833k of investment.
We have been working with our partners and communities in these five areas to find out how their high streets can most benefit from the funding available, and their input has been essential in shaping these plans.”
Through investments in local businesses, communities, and people and skills, UKSPF funding seeks to enhance life chances and pride in place throughout the United Kingdom. The Council’s successful application for Croydon included a larger package of £2.6 million, of which £833k was received.
In order to assist Croydon’s upcoming generation of entrepreneurs, who are between the ages of 18 and 35, the Council is also developing a Young Entrepreneurs Academy.
What is the overview of the program?
London Road, West Croydon, New Addington, Thornton Heath, Selsdon, and Purley are the five district centers that will get this financing.
Enhancing communities and places, supporting local businesses, and developing people and skills are the main goals of the programs. To boost the life of these centers, this involves actions to stop antisocial behavior, enhance green spaces, and rehabilitate public areas.
To establish the program and include the community in the planning process, the council is collaborating closely with ward members, local partners, and communities. By working together, the initiatives are guaranteed to satisfy regional objectives and needs.
In order to make Croydon’s town and district centers safer, healthier, and cleaner, the project supports the mayor’s aims. By drawing more individuals to these places, it seeks to increase job retention.