Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A long-serving Surrey Street market trader has been honoured with a civic award in Croydon for his outstanding community service and local engagement.
As reported by Inside Croydon, at this week’s Civic Mayor Awards ceremony at the Town Hall, Jose Joseph, the Surrey Street stall-holder who serves hot meals to the homeless in Croydon town centre every week, received a special certificate in recognition of his community service.
In addition, Joseph serves as the chair of the Croydon Business Association, a relatively new group that advocates for local small and medium-sized enterprises and actively works to improve their trading conditions in the town center, particularly with regard to the £4.2 million in grants allocated for Surrey Street market.
When Joseph is not managing his market booth or providing food for the homeless, he is out and about assisting with community garbage picks in Queen’s Gardens, which were made essential due to the council and their contractors’ egregiously poor performance of the duty.
“What a privilege!” Following the ceremonial awarding of his certificate by Mayor Kola Agboola on Tuesday night, Joseph stated.
Joseph’s exceptional philanthropic efforts earned him the Mayor’s Community Award.
Joseph told Inside Croydon, “This award isn’t just for me; it’s for the entire family of the Croydon Business Association, whose unwavering efforts continue to improve our community.”
The celebration at the Town Hall didn’t last long for Joseph and his family. They returned to the town center to serve over 100 plates of delectable handmade chicken biryani to people in need as others celebrated.
Along with other Kairali UK Croydon volunteers, Joseph was at the center of a May Day cleanup in front of the Town Hall last week.
“We act out of love. Regarding his community service, Joseph remarked, “We do it with pride.”
On the website of the financially challenged council, however, it is difficult to locate any acknowledgement of the actions of Joseph and other prize winners.
The council, which aims to be “digital-first” and wants all of its business with the communities it serves to be done online, has not released a press release announcing its Civic Mayor Awards or posted any news coverage of the event on its website.
In fact, the most recent Civic Mayor Awards article on the digital-first council’s website is five years old, indicating that the propaganda staff of the £204,000-per-year chief executive Katherine Kerswell’s council hasn’t been able to update this page since 2020.
They have most likely been too busy using their tax dollars to deal with the political and personal propaganda of Jason Perry, the unpolitical mayor.
How does the Croydon Business Association support local businesses?
By interacting with Croydon Council and other authorities, the CBA represents small and medium-sized businesses in the area collectively and works to promote better trading conditions.
For instance, they aggressively advocate for the allocation of subsidies for upgrades to the town center, such as Surrey Street market.
Events like the yearly Croydon Food Festival, which the CBA hosts, support local companies, draw tourists, and increase foot traffic in the town center. In order to improve the trading environment and foster a friendly attitude, they also organize projects like planters and street banners.
To ensure that business interests are represented in local decision-making, the organization works closely with the council on matters that impact businesses, such as parking regulations, market renovations, and funding distributions.