Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Croydon has been selected for major investment under the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme to revitalise high streets and boost community pride.
Through the Pride in Place Impact Fund, the borough will get £1.5 million over two years to support upgrades like district centers, green space enhancement, and community building renovations.
Furthermore, New Addington North has been selected as one of just two neighborhoods in London to receive up to £20 million over ten years to revitalize the area as part of the long-term Pride in Place Programme.
This expands on the work the Council has already been doing in the area, including the £223k district centre improvements made possible by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the nearly £100k spent on youth community safety initiatives since 2023, the restoration of pride through our blitz clean, and extended hours at the New Addington Library.
This year, Croydon also hosted the first New Addington cultural event, which included visits to the National Gallery as part of the Art Road Trip initiative and music workshops with youth.
It is thought that a Neighbourhood Board will oversee the Pride in Place initiative, bringing together locals, businesses, community organizations, council members, and MPs to develop a 10-year vision for New Addington North. The Council is awaiting the scheme’s governance mechanisms and all of the information.
Three main objectives will be the focus of funding: strengthening communities with a feeling of safety and belonging; developing prosperous areas with bustling high streets and first-rate local amenities; and giving residents the power to influence the direction of their neighborhood.
The board will create a strategy for regeneration that will include priorities based on community choices about the allocation of funds. Delivery is anticipated to start in 2027, with plans anticipated to begin by late 2026.
In order to determine which regions of the country most needed assistance, the government distributed the funds using a methodology that took into account community need and deprivation.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s goals of reviving our town and district centers, boosting local companies, and regaining borough pride are all supported by this investment.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said:
“We’re seeing real momentum from the Croydon Growth Plan, and this new funding gives us the opportunity to build on that success – helping to revitalise our high streets, strengthen community ties, and bring renewed pride to our borough.
I’m delighted that New Addington North has been recognised for long-term investment. We’ve already made progress alongside local residents and partners and I am committed to continuing that collaboration, to make improvements that will help our community to thrive.”
What measures will assess community pride and safety improvements?
Conducting surveys or focus groups on a periodic basis to assess how residents feel about community, belonging, and pride in their neighbourhood. Questions entail residents’ perceptions of local identity, social cohesion, and views on local facilities.
Tracking participation in local events and community meetings as well as initiatives such as Neighbourhood Boards to assess residents’ active participation in shaping their neighbourhood.
Assessment of renovated parks, streetscapes, community buildings, and cultural/ artistic features that promote pride-in-place. Informally tracking community conversations, as well as positive mentions of neighbourhoods on social media platforms as a measure of pride.