A colourful new civic space in the centre of Croydon will be launched next week (Thursday 12 July) as a vibrant place for people to meet and socialise.
College Square, the pedestrianised area linking George Street and College Road, has been refreshed and redefined, animating a route into the town’s future cultural quarter. An eye-catching collection of urban outdoor furniture has been installed, with pieces that can be configured and reconfigured in a variety of ways. They can function as public seating, a platform for workshops and activities, a stage and more.
The council has developed this exciting new space in collaboration with students from the spatial practices programme at Central Saint Martins (CSM), University of the Arts London. Local Croydon group, setWorks, have manufactured the pieces.
College Square will be officially launched at 6pm on Thursday 12 July. Speakers will include councillor Paul Scott, cabinet lead for regeneration, and representatives from CSM. There will be food from a number of amazing organisations including the prolific Mums The Chef, Thornton Heath’s superstar sisters Twinz Cupcake Kitchen, Tooting-based group the Delica Sisters (formerly the Chickpea Sisters), and Croydon’s very own Sharon Johnson.
The launch will mark the start of a year-long programme of cultural and civic events in College Square, developed by the council and CSM. The first three months will be themed, with July based on food, August based on awareness, and September based on design, to coincide with the London Design Festival. July’s events will include a Diaspora Feast celebrating all world cultures in Croydon and their culinary delights, plus a healthy food market, with the EatWell Croydon scheme. A year’s programme of events and activities is being developed for the space – to keep up to date with these developments visit the council’s website https://www.croydon.gov.uk.
College Square is one of a number of meanwhile use projects being delivered as part of the Croydon Growth Zone. The Meanwhile Croydon programme combines innovative public realm installations with a civic and cultural programme to activate key regeneration areas. The projects enliven places for people in the short term and also help to test ideas and gather valuable feedback for how a place can be transformed in the future.
“It’s fantastic to see College Square revitalised as a new place for people to enjoy in the town centre. This urban outdoor furniture is both eye-catching and innovative, transforming the area into a vibrant and flexible space perfect for a range of community events.”
Councillor Paul Scott, cabinet lead for regeneration
