In Contact Spring/Summer 2017

Photo: David Cook/Croydon Advertiser

Welcome to Croydon Croydon BID’s determination to add extra vibrancy and colour to the town centre’s streets stepped up several gears this spring and judging by the flurry of comments this generated on social media, all the early indications are that our efforts are paying off. The introduction of a stunning new art installation opposite East Croydon station and a series of colourful planting schemes and floral displays along some of Croydon’s main thoroughfares have provided a welcome blaze of colour at strategic locations across the centre of town.

The design incorporates 39 coloured panes each of which represents a district of Croydon as well as a six metre light box with the message ‘Welcome to Croydon’, all helping to create an eye-catching, positive first impression at one of the main gateways into the town centre.

Each of the visible improvements to the town’s urban street scene is the result of several new initiatives instigated by the BID as part of the pledge it made to businesses to deliver brighter streets and keep the town centre looking its best while Croydon’s re-development progresses.

Commenting on the installation, RISEgallery founder, Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison said: “Because East Croydon is one of the mostused stations in south London, we’ve always seen it as an ideal spot to capture people’s attention with art.

Thousands of commuters who pass through East Croydon daily cannot have failed to notice the huge, new rainbow-coloured art installation sited directly opposite the railway station, welcoming passers-by and encouraging them to ‘Explore Croydon’. Created by the team from Croydon’s award-winning RISEgallery, the work was commissioned by the BID with the twin aims of encouraging people to venture further afield into the town centre in order to explore all that it has to offer, while introducing much-needed vibrancy into an area that has long been ripe for development.

“The idea is that the piece tells people that Croydon is a colourful and vibrant place with loads going on. We have got a lot of different districts in Croydon but we are actually one community and that is something to be extremely proud of, ” he added. Croydon BID chief executive, Matthew Sims said: “We are absolutely delighted with the concept and the impact that the installation has already created. “It’s an innovative idea and adds a huge degree of vibrancy to a rapidly developing part of the town. It also does a great job in helping to grab the attention of those new to the town, attracted in by Boxpark for example,

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and encourages them to venture beyond East Croydon station to explore fully everything that Croydon has to offer. ” Meanwhile, a blaze of summer colour has also begun to appear at other key locations across the town centre as hanging baskets, planting schemes and colourful planters burst into bloom, following the BID’s appointment of Windowflowers, as its new horticultural supplier. One of the UK’s largest independent contractors, the multi award-winning family-owned business grows over one million plants each year and currently works with such prestigious clients as The Royal Horticultural Society, The Royal Mail, The Home Office, The Ritz, Citibank and The Houses of Parliament. “As a partnership, we have already begun making great strides to introduce much-needed colour and vibrancy across the town centre with several locations including George Street, Dingwall Road, Thomas Turner Path and Reeves Corner already being rejuvenated as a result of Windowflowers’ effor ts and there will be even more to follow,” said Mr Sims. “To underpin our work, we have also

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appointed Arup to prepare a vision for innovative greening interventions across the town centre and the work, which is being funded by the Greater London Authority, will help to form the basis of our strategic direction over the next few years in the drive to deliver brighter streets.” Complementing Croydon BID’s greening activities, the BID is continuing to ensure the town centre’s streets are clean and fresh for people to use, working closely with its specialist cleaning contractors, Community Clean, whose highly recognisable and popular cleaning team provide a two days per week deep-cleaning, wash-down, graffiti and gum removal service. Since November 2012, over 21,000 extra hours of deep-cleaning have been funded in the town centre by the BID, covering 191,000 square metres of pavement.

Andy Warhol is coming to Croydon What is widely anticipated to be one of the largest cultural events in the capital this year is due to take place in Croydon in the autumn as the town plays host to a month-long series of events commemorating the life and work of Andy Warhol.

Croydon’s award-winning RISEgallery has been granted exclusive access to create an innovative programme of activities that pay tribute to one of the biggest names in 20th century art, 30 years after Warhol’s death. Exhibitions of the artist’s work continue to attract recordbreaking numbers of visitors around the world and Croydon’s event is likely to be no exception. Upwards of 100,000 visitors are expected to come into town and significant national and international media interest is also anticipated, as a result of the wide programme of events being delivered in partnership with Croydon BID and Croydon Council.

A major highlight of the event, scheduled to take place in September, includes the creation of a unique ‘Andy Warhol Trail’ featuring 16 large-scale homages to Warhol by leading international artists which will be displayed at strategic locations throughout the town centre and lit up at night. Free guided and self-guided tours of the giant works will run throughout the month, in addition to which there will be film and documentary screenings plus a programme of lectures and talks from leading experts and friends of the artist. Other activities include 24 hour and late-night openings of RISEgallery and a street art

festival, with renowned street artists descending on the town on alternating weekends to create between 70 and 100 new murals, all inspired by Warhol’s works. A broad programme of family activities is also being planned for each week of the event, including a ‘make your own soup can’ session for children as well as workshops designed to appeal to all age groups. “Few names in the world of art are more evocative than that of Andy Warhol who continues to attract thousands of visitors to exhibitions around the world,” said RISEgallery founder Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison.

Up on the roof After its hugely successful debut in October last year, our latest series of free pop-up music events kicked off on May 18th, with well-known DJ Norman Jay MBE, delivering some of the best sounds around – all from the heady heights of this year’s Croydon Rooftop Cinema. Members of the audience were once again able to sit back, relax and enjoy live music, street food and street cocktails at the first of three planned events designed to bridge the gap between people’s work and play-time and support and promote Croydon’s evening economy. A joint initiative between the BID and Croydon Council, CROWD is delivered in conjunction with local music promoter, The Big South, who this year has teamed up with The Lost Format Society to stage the events from the top deck of Centrale Shopping Centre Car Park in Tamworth Road. Contact Us:

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“The first two events have proved extremely popular, attracting a diverse mix of people and ages into town in the early evening where they were able to enjoy a high calibre of entertainment before moving on to make the most of their night out, ” said Croydon BID’s head of operations, Shaun Webster. “Timed to take place between 5.00pm and 9.30pm, they are a great way for those working in the town centre to get together and socialise straight after work and help to shine a spotlight on all the other fantastic entertainment going on here in the evening,” he added. The second event of the summer will take place on Friday 23rd June,

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when DJ Format aka Matt Ford, will be bringing his trademark soul, funk and breakbeats set to CROWD at the Rooftop Cinema. DJ Format won over hip-hop heads in 2003 with his slow-burning hit album ‘Music for the Mature B-Boy’ featuring the stand-out track ‘We Know Something You Don’t Know’. Since then he’s collaborated with Toronto-born rapper Abdominal and the two have entertained crowds worldwide for the last 14 years. The final event of the series takes place on Friday, July 21st. For further details www.bigsouth.london.

visit

“As well as adding to Croydon’s cultural appeal and involving the local community, we are working in partnership with a number of venues and having so many extra people come in to town should be a welcome boost to local businesses,” he added. Commenting on Croydon BID’s sponsorship of the event, chief executive Matthew Sims said: “As headline sponsor of Andy Warhol month in Croydon, we are thrilled to be closely associated with bringing one of the biggest names in visual arts to Croydon for what promises to be a spectacular series of events and exhibitions that will go a long way towards altering perceptions of our town and strengthening its

growing cultural reputation. “Not only will the wide programme of planned events and activities attract thousands of additional visitors into town, they will also serve to highlight the many exciting developments taking place here and underline Croydon’s economic renaissance.” To find out how you and your business can get involved in the event, visit: www.warholcroydon.co.uk or email Warhol@rise-gallery.co.uk.

Heritage Festival celebrates Croydon’s evolution As Croydon faces the most significant era of re-development it has seen since the 1960s, plans for the fifth Croydon Heritage Festival are well under way with a packed programme of events and attractions designed to celebrate the town’s ‘Evolution’.

flagship talk telling the story of Croydon’s Evolution, the return of the National Trust’s Edge City Walking Tours and The Museum of London Archaeology Time Truck.

Organised annually by The Whitgift Foundation, the 2017 Heritage Festival will take place from Saturday, June 24th Friday, June 30th and its theme will focus on the changing face of Croydon throughout its long and distinguished history: growing from a village of 365 residents listed in the Domesday Book to the town we see today.

“In our fifth year of celebrating Croydon’s heritage, this year’s theme of “Evolution” is perfect for Croydon’s zeitgeist. Croydon is on the brink of metamorphosis, both culturally and economically, but it is important to reflect on all the events and people that have helped Croydon make its mark. Once again, Croydon’s community has come together to produce a compelling and fun way to remind us about our amazing town and the

The journey is a tale of innovation – from Roman saffron-growing farms to Tudor Contact Us:

palaces, pioneering Victorians and concrete utopias – all the way through to the explosion of creative energy that Croydon enjoys today. As in previous years, the programme will include performances, exhibitions, workshops and activities for all ages, with the majority of events taking place over the Heritage Weekend of June 24th and 25th. Highlights

will

include

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Martin Corney, chief executive of The Whitgift Foundation said:

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Foundation is proud to be part of it.” For this year’s Festival, international artists Aether + Hemera have been invited, with support from Croydon BID, to create a stunning and vibrant artwork in North End celebrating the coming together of Croydon’s ancient and recent past. The installation will transform the pedestrianised area with a canopy of colourful origami flowers for the duration of the festival and into July. To find out more visit: www.croydonheritagefestival.co.uk.

Free security workshops are a winner Almost 1,000 town centre employees have so far benefited from free crime prevention training as a result of a joint initiative launched nine months ago between the Metropolitan Police and the Croydon BID-funded, Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership (CBCP). Since launch, 19 separate seminars, intelligence-sharing meetings and roadshows have been delivered to provide businesses with the information, advice and tools they need to prevent and cut crime and to safeguard the interests of their staff and customers.

At the latest bespoke training session in April, eleven employees from Lush in North End (pictured) heard how the Safer Croydon Radio Scheme is instrumental in helping to deter and cut crime in the town centre. As well as hearing how the scheme provides a fast and direct link between businesses and the Council’s CCTV surveillance team, enabling them to share information quickly and easily with each other and to assist with the tracking of suspected criminals, attendees also heard how to clearly and accurately report incidents to help in the apprehension of offenders. “We are delighted that these training courses are proving so popular with businesses. They are

designed to help increase people’s feelings of safety and security in the town centre by developing a real sense of community between the businesses operating here in the drive to deter and tackle crime,” said Jamie Endrizzi, Croydon BID’s business crime reduction manager. A total of six tailored crime prevention workshops have already been rolled out in conjunction with the town centre police team on behalf of big name brands within the town centre. With sessions designed for 15 or more employees, the workshops are targeted at supporting crime reduction within a business and

equipping staff with the skills and knowledge to deter and detect criminal behaviour. “We’re really keen to develop these further and would be happy to hear from anyone who might be interested in finding out how we can help support their business,” added Jamie. To find out more email Jamie.endrizzi@croydonbid.com or call 020 8603 0054.

Investing in your safety With knife crime and cyber and terrorist attacks affecting London, the wider UK and beyond, the need for everyone to feel safe and comfortable in Croydon has potentially never been greater. To find out how issues such as these are affecting our town centre and what role the business community can play in helping to deter and tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, make sure of your place at our special free, Crime and Safety event from 6.00pm – 8.00pm on Thursday, June 22nd (venue to be confirmed). Join us to hear Croydon’s Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent

Jeff Boothe discussing some of the most topical aspects of policing in the capital today including:

• The changing face and nature of crime and anti-social behaviour

• The business community’s collaborative role in antiterrorism

• The Metropolitan Police’s aims moving forward

• The opportunities and challenges for a growing town centre

• The importance of working together

“It’s in all of our interests to ensure that Croydon is regarded as a safe and welcoming place to be so that investment in our town continues and its future economy prospers,” said Croydon BID chief executive Matthew Sims. “Since Croydon BID was first formed, we have invested over £2.24m in projects and initiatives designed to help cut crime and increase feelings of safety, working in partnership with the

Metropolitan Police, Croydon Council and various key agencies. “Our past achievements show that working together produces far more effective, swifter and more positive results than can be achieved in isolation and I would urge anyone who has a vested interest in Croydon’s future success to make sure of their place at this event,” he added. To find out more, email: keely.dench@croydonbid.com.

About Croydon BID We aim to make everyone’s experience and impression of Croydon town centre a better one so it is regarded as one of the premier destinations in south London in which to work, live, visit and do business. We do that by delivering projects and services that make it a safer, cleaner, more attractive, more accessible and more vibrant place to be. All of our activites are funded through a mandatory 1% levy collected from businesses within the BID area with a rateable value of £40,000 or more. This has led to an extra £15 million being invested in improving the town centre since Croydon BID was first formed in 2007.

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