Boosting our town's appeal

The twin challenges of attracting people into our town centre and managing their experience and perceptions of it while in the midst of what was initially expected to be a five-year redevelopment programme have long-since been recognised by our members.

But the combined effects of a slowdown in the pace of Croydon’s regeneration along with the downturn last year in our economy have accelerated the decline in our local street scene with derelict areas of land and more commercial premises than ever now standing empty. Furthermore, a switch in people’s shopping, working and socialising habits, triggered to some extent by COVID-19 restrictions, has led to reductions in footfall, creating yet more uncertainty for businesses.  

To help revitalise the economy and improve people’s experience and perceptions of Croydon, we aim to inject extra life, energy and colour into our town through the creation of attractive outdoor spaces, expansion of leisure time events and entertainment, such as our highly popular Brickosaurs Trail and giant TV screens. To add further support, we will promote our town centre through seasonal and sector specific campaigns, all of which will add a valuable extra dimension to the town centre experience.

We will continue to build on Croydon’s reputation as an up-and-coming place in which to invest by utilising new and existing communications platforms to promote everything the town has to offer, as well as through our planned support for Croydon’s London Borough of Culture 2023 celebrations to help raise our town’s profile as one of the most vibrant, sustainable, welcoming and culturally diverse locations in which to be.  

Working with our partners in the local community, Croydon BID delivers a series of projects and initiatives that are aimed at making everyone's experience and impression of the town centre a better one. Principal activities include: 

• What's on Croydon: Supported by our sister website www.checkoutcroydon.com, we have bought Croydon an interactive on-line guide features all the latest news and information on what's on, where to go, special offers and getting around the bustling heart of Croydon

• Festivals and Events: We deliver a lively annual programme of vibrant events to increase visitor numbers, provide increased trading opportunities and help leave everyone with a positive lasting impression

• Promotional campaigns: As one of the largest commercial centre's outside of central London, Croydon has plenty to offer with its vibrant and varied mix of private and public sector businesses, high street stores, independent traders and our hospitality and night time offer.

• Winter lights: Since 2007, Croydon BID, on behalf of over 550 businesses in the town centre, has brought Christmas lights and cheer.

Why don't you add your own event to our 'what's on' listing at www.checkoutcroydon.com