Articles

Richard Plant, Partner at SHW and Chairman of Develop Croydon

 

I was delighted to read your article following on from the annual Develop Croydon conference, placing a spotlight on Croydon. However, as the Chairman of Develop Croydon I was, of course, a little affronted in response your attention-grabbing headline.

 

As Croydon Mayor Jason Perry quite rightly alluded to in his speech at the conference, in recent years Croydon has had a set back with a struggle in the borough’s fortunes. He also told delegates that: “The people of Croydon have made it very clear that they want change…presenting use with an era of opportunity, one in which we can create a new vision for our town and our town centre. Working together we can provide the right environment for great regeneration that places residents and businesses at the heart of good growth.”

 

Mr Perry highlighted that he believes Croydon is one of London’s most connected boroughs with “great talents and skills” in Croydon’s community and the importance of taking advantage of them to create a more “vibrant” town centre. He noted it was about “putting people back at the heart of future decision-making” and knowing that “before we start talking about place, we need to talk about our people”.

 

In addition, Perry stated: “We have energetic businesses and residents who are ready and willing to embrace innovation and create new visions for town centres and high streets. These visions will fulfil the needs and create opportunities for our residents and our businesses. We have connectivity, affordability and fantastic communities on our side. We have an opportunity to design something that really works for Croydon, the potential for growth there is unmatched.”

 

With the backing of private company’s already investing heavily in the area, Croydon borough has been steadily evolving over the past 13 years since Develop Croydon was formed. Throughout 2022, Croydon has continued to experience unprecedented regeneration. With a swathe of impressive developments appearing throughout the borough, the number of big deals being completed and the huge investment pipeline transforming the town, it’s clear to see how far we’ve come.

 

This year at our annual investors tour, attendees were given an exclusive look at Croydon’s vibrant mix of businesses and the development opportunities available to those who see the borough’s potential. In what is truly an unprecedented period of economic regeneration for the borough, guests were welcomed at several landmark developments, starting with a walking tour of the new 1,250,000 sq ft Ruskin Square site – home to HMRC.

 

A coach tour followed, highlighting Croydon’s exponential growth through a number of residential and commercial developments starting at No. 5 Sydenham Road and Canterbury House/Criterion Capital, before looping back towards East Croydon, taking in developments including the affordable Pocket Living development, the iconic One Croydon,  the extensive Morello Quarter on Cherry Orchard Road and The Island by Regency Homes, to name a few.

 

We have seen huge growth in the number of new homes being delivered in Croydon, with over 3,000 currently on site in the town centre. Some truly impressive schemes have begun welcoming residents, including the world’s tallest modular building, Ten Degrees, now almost fully occupied. Menta topped out the final phase of their £500m Morello regeneration project at East Croydon station; the 513-unit residential development Queens Gardens completed opposite Fairfield Halls and London Square have launched their impressive new West Croydon development, bringing new energy to the area. Croydon Council and the GLA have also played their part in enabling great public realm improvements, such as the ongoing facelift from Southend to George Street.

 

Croydon has long presented itself as an attractive prospect for investment, thanks to its connectivity to London and the availability of affordable home and office spaces. With the shift in business practices and the desire for a better work life balance since the pandemic, Croydon has never been a more attractive prospect for living and working.

 

Not to be forgotten is Croydon’s industrial and logistics economy, based in and around the Purley Way, which is a big focus for Croydon’s economic renewal. Schemes including the new Prologis Park site on Beddington Lane, spanning an impressive 220,000 sq ft across six units and GLi’s ultra-sustainable 110,431 sq ft site on the Purley Way, highlight the growing need for industrial space - fuelled by demand for last mile logistics, brought on largely by the growth in e-commerce delivery. Retailers including Amazon, Argos, Fruitful Office and Tropic Skincare are just some of the big names already occupying space in the region.

 

Next year is certainly set to be just as exciting, with phase two of the Prologis scheme as well as industrial developments from Chancerygate, Bridge Industrial and Segro cementing Croydon’s position as the major logistics hub for South London. And with Croydon taking on the prestigious role of London Borough of Culture 2023, plus the prospect of £20m in government Levelling Up funding (as bid for by Executive Mayor for Croydon Jason Perry) we could see local regeneration given a further kickstart - creating a more vibrant, welcoming, greener and accessible Croydon for all.