Five exciting and diverse proposals that each aim to bring a unique offering to Croydon’s nightlife have been shortlisted in the council’s Good Evening Croydon project.
Earlier this year, local organisations were asked to submit their creative concepts to refresh the night-time economy, as part of the ongoing regeneration in the borough and the Croydon Growth Zone programme.
The proposals put forward by the five groups beat more than 35 other entries to make it through to the final stage of the competition, which will now see the groups supported by the council to assess the viability of their individual schemes.
The shortlisted proposals are:
Ludoquist Board Games Café which aims to offer over 600 board games to everyone from games hobbyists, to those who want to re-live their childhood with a game like Kerplunk. As well as hosting tournaments, the café would also hold special themed nights.
First Thursday celebrates the flourishing street art scene in Croydon and involves the after-hours opening of galleries, with special exhibitions, cafés, museum and other street events including food stalls. Taking place on the first Thursday of every month, Croydon’s offerings would align with several events around the world in locations including Whitechapel and Cape Town.
Comfort Point aims to address community concerns about safety in the area of Portland Road and South Norwood High Street. The group would work with shops and businesses in the area to create safe spaces or comfort points in the evening, where people can go if they feel unsafe or require help. The shops and cafés part of the scheme would be identifiable by having LED light installations by local artists in their shop fronts.
Young Croydon Resonate is a residency programme that will platform young musical talent in the borough at five different venues between January and May next year. Each venue will host a month-long residency featuring a weekly or fortnightly event focusing on two or three young artists or bands per evening.
Croydon Bicycle Theatre aims to deliver a unique cycling and theatre hybrid event that entertains audiences while promoting cycling. Events would primarily be outdoors and ideas include game theatre in which audiences participate and a dubstep themed bicycle tour of the borough.
Each of the finalists has produced a video to explain their proposal and the public have until October 31 to let the council know what they think of the ideas. To watch the videos and share your views click here.
Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for economy and jobs
“We had a fantastic response to Good Evening Croydon and the variety of entries made shortlisting a difficult task for the panel. I’m excited to see the groups further develop their ideas and to learn more about their exciting plans, which will enhance the offering of things to do in Croydon in the evening.”
Finalists will present their proposals to a panel next month and there is a possibility more than one winner may be selected. The winner/s will be announced in November, with the winning concept/s launched between December 2017 and August 2018.
