Street Banners
Bringing vibrancy and creativity to our streets
Our street banners bring a touch of charm and artistic flair to the heart of our community.
About Croydon BID Street Banners:
At Croydon BID, we believe vibrant, creative streets help make a town centre feel more welcoming, more engaging, and more alive.
That’s why we manage over 40 large-scale street banners across Croydon town centre, transforming everyday streets into a changing outdoor gallery filled with colour, creativity, and local stories.
Through our annual Creative Croydon campaign, we work with local artists to showcase their work across the town centre on a rotating programme of lamppost banner exhibitions. The result is a free, accessible public art trail that brings creativity directly into the heart of Croydon on the streets people use every day.
Creative Croydon is delivered in partnership with 31% Wool, a local creative consultancy, and The Croydonist, a cultural platform championing Croydon’s creative community. Together, we commission and curate work from artists who live, work, or study in the borough, ensuring the programme reflects the people and stories of Croydon itself.
Each year, artists are invited to respond to an open call. Selected work is professionally printed and displayed across key routes in the town centre. The banners showcase a wide range of styles and voices, from established artists to emerging creatives and first-time exhibitors.
By using existing street infrastructure in a creative way, the scheme brings public art into everyday life, adding colour, identity, and personality to Croydon town centre while supporting local artists and strengthening the borough’s cultural presence.
What you see on the streets is more than decoration. It is a platform for local creativity and a celebration of Croydon’s creative talent.
Creative Croydon 2025
Creative Croydon 2025 returned with its most open brief yet. Local artists submitted three pieces of art – existing or new – showcasing their unique style. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Alec Saunders, Shirley Shephard, and Alex Mouette.
Creative Croydon 2024
Our 2024 exhibition featured a fresh format: a competition for artists aged 16-25 to submit artworks on the theme ‘Happiness is’. Winning artists include: Autumn Ng Fong Tiao, Iulia Taropa, Beatrix Finch, Erika Gomez, and Thomas Oldfield.
Creative Croydon 2023
As Croydon became the London Borough of Culture in 2023, our second series celebrated the borough’s rich artistic talent, featuring the works of local artists Divya Sharma, Matt Bannister, Skye Baker, Miguel Sopena, and Melanie Russell.
Creative Croydon 2022
Featuring artworks by local artists Kate Marsden, Gavin Kinch, Tina Crawford, Lis Watkins, and Bev Jones, our first instalment on Creative Croydon depicted some of Croydon town centre’s most notable buildings, places, and spaces.
The Croydon BID Street Banner Programme provides:
Additional Colour and Vibrancy
Eye-catching designs and bright colours enhance the streetscape, creating a welcoming environment for residents, workers, and visitors
A Platform for Local Artists
Street banners offer a platform for local artists to display their work, celebrating creativity and enriching the town centre’s cultural scene
Community Pride and Connection
Each banner depicts places, people, or stories meaningful to Croydon, helping to strengthen local identity and pride.
Dynamic and Engaging Streets
Rotating and seasonal banners keep the town centre fresh and engaging, transforming ordinary streets into lively, visually interesting spaces
Celebration of Local Heritage
Banners highlight Croydon’s notable places, landmarks, and stories, helping residents and visitors connect with the town’s identity
Seasonal and Event Highlights
Banners reflect seasonal themes and local campaigns, adding relevance and excitement to the streets throughout the year
