The disused old fountain in Croydon’s Queen’s Gardens is to be given a temporary new lease of life as a lunchtime performance space over the summer.
It will also be used as a central part of the new Ambition Festival being staged by Croydon Council at the end of July.
The fountain has not worked for many years and work is now under way to level the surface so it can be used as a temporary bandstand stage.
It will host dozens of bands as part of the programme of free events during Ambition Festival, which takes place in venues and on outdoor stages around Croydon from 23-26 July.
Alongside the free activities there are several headline shows in Fairfield Halls and elsewhere around town and tickets are on sale at subsidised prices to keep them as affordable as possible.
These include big names such as Soul II Soul, Tinariwen and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry as well as less well-known but interesting acts including BBC 6 Music favourites Hyde & Beast and The Alternative Dubstep Orchestra – both of whom will be playing in the grand setting of the Croydon Minster.
“Our new festival aims to bring the centre of town to life, and creating this performance space is a great way of making sure the benefits of the festival are enjoyed throughout the summer months.”
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport
The gardens, including the fountain area, will be remodelled after the building work on the old Taberner House site has been completed.
A full programme of events and more information about the festival can be found at www.ambitionfest.com
Artists and buskers who would like to perform in the gardens can get in touch with the festival manager, John Bownas at john.bownas@croydon.gov.uk
