Croydon Council received the highest government grant in London from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), totalling £1,433,340 – which will boost skills, business and community spaces across the borough.
Numerous projects are getting under way to help residents access business support, improve district centres and parks, and to bring communities together through cultural events and festivals.
The projects are being driven by Executive Mayor Jason Perry and support his priorities in his Growth Plan and to restore pride in our borough.
Following the successful projects in high streets and green spaces as part of the last round of UKSPF funding – including the new Colliers Water Garden in Thornton Heath – the next district centres to benefit are: Norbury, Addiscombe, South Croydon and Coulsdon.
Croydon is one of the capital’s greenest boroughs with some 127 parks and green spaces. Many are supported by volunteers through Friends groups and the Council will work with these groups, through a Mayor’s Parks Fund, on projects led by residents. Five parks will also get new outdoor gyms, so residents can have better access to free leisure facilities.
Helping local businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive, and creating more opportunities for skills and learning are priorities in the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan. The UKSPF funding will invest in these areas – building on its close partnerships with local organisations to deliver programmes and helping to boost the local economy.
Among these are 1-2-1 business support and workshops, specialist support for female entrepreneurs, and working with the voluntary sector to help them improve networks and secure funding. Opportunities will be created for vulnerable young people who are not in education or work, while those looking to start a business can access advice and events through the Executive Mayor’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy, which was established in 2023 to support Croydon’s next generation of entrepreneurs (aged 18-35).
Building on Croydon’s legacy as London Borough of Culture 2023, Culture Croydon will work with local arts organisations, artists and performers to put on an exciting series of cultural, heritage and community events. These include the celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Croydon composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and grant funding for creative health activities that are designed to boost residents’ health and wellbeing.
“Earlier this year I published my Growth Plan – a bold new strategy to drive regeneration, attract investment and deliver exciting developments across the borough. This £1.4m of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding will help to deliver on this. We will give local entrepreneurs the tools and support needed to launch and grow their businesses here in Croydon.
“Furthermore, we will make improvements to district centres and green spaces led by what our residents want to see, and bring communities together and restore pride in our diverse borough through our exciting Culture Croydon programme. There is a whole host of projects ahead of us in the coming year, and I look forward to working together with voluntary groups and community organisations as we bring this forward.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
