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The event on 26 November at Fairfield Halls had the theme ‘Fresh Perspectives’ and aptly, discussions around the refreshed vision for town centre development were at its heart.

 

Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, opened the event with the launch of ‘Unlocking Croydon’s Potential,’ the inward investment strategy from Croydon Council built on three key foundations – attracting investment, immediate and long-term action, and partnership.

 

He told investors: “Croydon is ready to collaborate, innovate and deliver. We are ready to work with you to build a borough that sets the standard for urban regeneration and economic growth.”

 

Howard Dawber, discussing the London Growth Plan and UK Industrial Strategy, said: “In my view, Croydon is the biggest single opportunity borough in London because of existing infrastructure and the opportunity to build on that as the centre changes, and as the major investments pencilled in for the centre go through. Croydon will look very different in 10 years.”

 

The “Attracting Inward Investment” panel subsequently suggested the borough could attract investment by building on its strengths such as: connectivity; the talent pool in Croydon, London and the South East; and the successful Develop Croydon partnership with 750 parties contributing over 15 years.

 

Stephanie Wear, Vice President of Aviation Development, London Gatwick, spoke about how the airport’s investment in new routes and increased frequencies followed feedback from local businesses who identified countries such as China and India as key markets.

She also explained how the Northern Runway project, which could be operational by 2029 subject to planning approval, would increase aircraft movements from 55 to 69 per hour, and passenger numbers from 46 million to 75m each year. “Not only is that generating direct employment and economic benefit, it is also bringing in tourists and business, and opening the doors for the future of this region,” she added.

 

Town centre transformation

 

Delegates were updated on the major town centre investment from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). The company has begun consultation on a Masterplan Framework for The North End Quarter incorporating the Whitgift Centre, Allders and the immediate surrounding area of Croydon’s town centre, that would create 1m sq ft of retail and leisure, thousands of new homes, new culture, education and healthcare facilities.

MP for Croydon West, Sarah Jones, welcomed the “vibrant plan,” saying: “It’s the one piece of the pie we had to crack…that’s the thing everybody talks about. We just desperately want our town centre to be somewhere we can be proud of.”

 

“The Sustainable Evolution of the Town Centre” heard how change to the town centre would be incremental but that Croydon would be a great retail destination in 10 years’ time, and that opportunities would arise from meanwhile use for smaller independent music and entertainment venues.

 

Closing the panel, Holly Lewis from We Made That, said: “In Croydon, there is a sense of ‘let’s get on with it’ and I think that’s happening now. I’ve got great faith that between what [URW] are doing, the shorter-term things that can happen on that site, and all the other different projects, all this time preparing has been worth it.”

 

“Between the Buildings” focused on creating great public spaces and public realm, with Heather Cheesbrough, London Borough of Croydon, saying the forthcoming Fairfield Square – Croydon’s first town square being created with the £18.5m Recreating Croydon fund – would be a “gamechanger”.

 

During the “Town Centre Living” discussion, the importance of social housing was stressed with 2,000 people in temporary accommodation in Croydon facing a six-year wait for permanent homes. The town centre’s residents are becoming younger, according to figures presented on shared ownership, with the demographic now aged in the late 20s/early 30s compared to the mid-30s/early 40s in 2022. The audience also heard there was a need to look at how older people could be encouraged to live in town centres, perhaps in co-living schemes like Ten Degrees, a project that had “really lifted thinking about Croydon,” according to Fiona Fletcher-Smith, L&Q.

 

She added: “I feel the buzz is back in Croydon. I think we lost it a bit but it now feels like there’s a lot happening, and a lot of goodwill to make good things happen, which is wonderful.”