Residents, traders, businesses and community groups came together to celebrate 750 years of Surrey Street Market, with His Majesty King Charles III joining the festivities as guest of honour.
The memorable Royal visit marked a historic milestone for one of Britain’s oldest outdoor markets. The visit created a double celebration for the borough, taking place just ahead of the King’s birthday on Saturday, 14 November.
Hundreds of residents joined Executive Mayor Jason Perry in the town centre to welcome His Majesty, who met traders, performers, Council and community leaders – hearing first-hand the stories that have helped Surrey Street thrive through centuries of change.
The celebrations highlighted the people behind the market’s success. Among those meeting The King were traders old and new, including Amanda Zhu, whose family recipe for traditional crispy pastry pies dates back more than 2,000 years; Kathy Gilliam, whose family has traded in Surrey Street for generations; George Whatle, who has served his popular Caribbean food from the market for 25 years; and Kevin Allagapen, a qualified nutritionist who began trading on Surrey Street this year.
Community groups from across Croydon also took part in the celebrations, reflecting Surrey Street’s role as more than just a market.
Wayne Lindsay, CEO and co-founder of Project 4 Youth Empowerment (P4YE), and Eloise Ofori, founder and chief executive of Anima Youth, both of whom work closely with the Council to support and empower young people, met The King and told him about their work.
The King was also introduced to Shaniqua Benjamin, representing the Surrey Street Action Group, a partnership of residents, traders and businesses helping to shape the future of the market and town centre. Other community leaders at the event included, Dr Andrew Brown of the BME Forum, Ima Miah of the Asian Resource Centre of Croydon and Nicola Newman of Croydon Vision.
The visit was particularly significant because it marked a return to Surrey Street for The King. As Prince of Wales, he visited the market in 1994 and again in 2012, giving him a long-standing connection to one of Croydon’s most historic landmarks. For many traders and residents, welcoming him back during the market’s 750th year made the occasion even more special.
“Having His Majesty join us as guest of honour for Surrey Street’s 750th anniversary made this a truly unforgettable day for Croydon. It felt like a fitting occasion for a market that has been serving communities since receiving its Royal Charter in 1276.
“It was wonderful to see so many residents, traders, businesses and community organisations come together to celebrate its remarkable history and bright future. I would like to thank everyone who got involved.
“The day showed that Surrey Street remains the jewel in Croydon’s crown, bringing people together from every background and continuing to play a vital role in the life of our borough.”
Visitors enjoyed performances from Rhythm Generation, Beeja Dance and Global Grooves, helping to create a vibrant atmosphere that reflected Croydon’s many communities. The celebrations also showcased the Council’s Amplifying Surrey Street programme, which is investing in improvements to support traders, attract visitors and secure the market’s future.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
