Croydon isn’t just a development opportunity – it’s a place where culture is being put at the forefront of the regeneration programme.
The council is investing £35million in bringing Fairfield Halls back to its former glory while there is also a healthy ‘bottom-up’ approach with members of the community playing a major part in adding to the town’s cultural fabric.
Here is a map showing and details of some of the highlights from within the Croydon Metropolitan Area.
SOME OF CROYDON’S CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
The dynamic Croydon Arts Quarter boasts more than 100 street art murals, painted with the permission of landowners.
The brainchild of RISEgallery owner Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison these murals are changed every three months. The Arts Quarter is centred around St Georges Walk, Park Street and Katharine Street.
2 Queen’s Gardens
A small area of suburban gardens in the heart of Croydon which was opened in its present form by the Queen in 1983.
The gardens are set for a new lease of life as part of HUB’s proposals which will include the regeneration of the council’s former headquarters, Taberner House, which has been used in the meantime as a saffron farm.
It has just been announced as the venue for Croydon PrideFest 2017.
Fairfield has played host to the likes of The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Pink Floyd and many more during its proud 55-year history.
Currently being redeveloped as part of the wider plans for the College Green area, it will reopen next year with major internal and external improvements, while a section of the underground car park will be transformed into a contemporary art gallery.
A pop-up dining experience featuring more than 40 outlets, many of them local independents, bringing modern street food, fine dining and craft beer. Boxpark Croydon has transformed a derelict brownfield site into a hub of activity, hosting more than 200 events per year.
Activities include yoga, kickboxing, craft fairs, film and sports screenings.
Situated in a quiet piazza overlooked by a historic pump house, the cafe, restaurant and community space operates on the site of a former brewery. Brgr&Beer does a roaring trade selling premium burgers – but they sell out fast.
The venue also includes an art gallery, theatre, live music venue, art and design suites, coworking area and a selection of recording studios and rehearsal rooms.
A community space adjoining the route linking the station and town centre on the Ruskin Square development.
Platform hosts a range of community events, showcases local talent and provides big screen coverage of major sporting events.
7 Surrey Street Market
A medieval market granted charter status in 1276, it has recently become a seven-day-a-week operation as part of a number of enhancements.
Surrey Street, centrepiece of town’s first Pride event in 2016, has new neon light installations and a book exchange.
8 North End
THE pedestrianised street in between the town’s two major shopping centres hosts everything from live music to pop-up markets. It is the centrepiece for Croydon Heritage Day, part of a festival organised by the Whitgift Foundation, and for the annual Croydon Christmas Lights Switch-On.
AS well as being a traditional British pub, serving a selection of real ales including many locally brewed, the Oval is a vibrant part of the Croydon scene, due in no small part to its passion for music.
Hidden in a residential road on the Addiscombe side of East Croydon, the Oval’s programme features a broad range of genres, from folk to jazz to ska to rock.
ON the site of a former bank, next door to the Clock Tower, this Grade II listed building houses a pub and a theatre with year-round performances.
The 50-seater Spread Eagle champions ‘big plays for small spaces’ with an emphasis on supporting new writing.
11 Clock Tower
A focal point in the town, the Clock Tower is home to Croydon Library, the Museum of Croydon and the independent David Lean Cinema.
It is also home to the intimate Braithwate Hall which hosts a range of events from theatre to the Croydon Craft Beer Festival.
An extraordinary oasis of tranquility among the hustle and bustle of central Croydon.
Self contained flats clustered around picturesque lawns provide a secure and thriving community managed by the Whitgift Foundation. Almshouses tours are a highlight of the Croydon Open House weekend.
THE Grade I listed building is parish and civic church for the London Borough of Croydon. Croydon Minster provides a stunning venue for classical concerts and also boasts four choirs of its own.
14 Wandle Park
A VICTORIAN park, it underwent major regeneration in 2013, a project which saw a lost section of the River Wandle restored above ground. During the summer a programme of events ranges from live music and theatre to heritage walks and storytelling.
LOST Format Society is a unique roof top cinema & bar experience in the heart of Croydon Town Centre. The organisation takes over the top of disused car parks and other venues for a summer series of film showings ranging from classics through to modern blockbusters.
16 St George’s Walk
Home to pop-up music events and street art as well as the renowned RISE gallery.
RISE specialises in contemporary, modern urban contemporary and post war pop art as well as leading on a number of community projects throughout the borough.