Boxpark Croydon is just a month from opening its doors as the borough’s newest venue continues to take shape next to East Croydon railway station.
A big festival weekend is being organised to mark the opening of the capital’s second Boxpark – this one boasting a food and drinks theme around a 2,000 capacity performance space.
The cream of London’s grime scene will be performing to celebrate the opening of the venue, which is packed with 40 restaurants, cafes and bars all crammed into shopping containers.
Tickets are on sale for Saturday while entry on the Sunday – run by the NME – is free, although booking is still required to guarantee entry.
Boxpark director Roger Wade said: “We hope to make Croydon one of the most exciting London boroughs and this is just the beginning of many events for the local community and wider areas.
“Expect everything from festival warm ups to organic food markets, plus daily programmed events.”
The food and drink outlets at Boxpark Croydon will include MeatLiquor, Chilango, Mama Lan, Breakfast Club and Croydon-based Brgr & Beer.
Boxpark Croydon is a five-year meanwhile use for part of the nine acre Ruskin Square site being developed in a joint partnership by Schroders and Stanhope.
The first residential building and first office block on the site are both nearing completion and the entire site will ultimately be transformed into a commercial, residential and leisure quarter.
Council leader Tony Newman said of the Boxpark opening: “I don’t think you can have a bigger more positive statement on where Croydon is and where the council are, where the people of Croydon young and old are.”
For more details on the opening weekend and visit www.boxparkcroydon.com