From Batman to The Crown, from chart-topping music videos to major Hollywood productions, Croydon has become one of the capital’s most recognisable film locations.
Now the borough is taking centre stage as Executive Mayor Jason Perry launches a new CRO‑llywood Working Group – bringing together industry leaders, education providers, creative businesses and production professionals to turn Croydon’s filming success into jobs, skills, investment and opportunities for local people.
The new group will build on Croydon’s growing reputation as a filming location, creating opportunities for residents to develop careers in the sector without needing to leave the borough.
Executive Mayor Perry made the announcement at a conference about the film and video industry, held at Croydon’s CEZ Creative Space on Tuesday (2 June). It forms part of his first 100 days of action as he sets out his agenda for his historic second term as Mayor.
Croydon’s streets, buildings, markets, shopping centres and skyline have appeared on screens watched by millions around the world. Music icon Taylor Swift used the Whitgift Centre as the setting for her recent music video Opalite, while British film All of Us Strangers highlighted the leafy streets of Sanderstead. Meanwhile, Netflix series The Crown featured the modernist backdrop of Fairfield Halls, and Amazon’s Heads of State brought Idris Elba and John Cena to St George’s Square.
This versatility has helped cement Croydon’s reputation as ‘CRO‑llywood’, a nickname coined by The Times last year. It reflects a serious and growing industry presence. With its strong transport links, alongside an exceptional pool of creative talent, Croydon is becoming part of a wider creative ecosystem.
The new CRO‑llywood Working Group, which will be formally set up in the coming months, will bring together creative industries, education providers, businesses and key partners to develop a long-term vision for the screen sector in Croydon. Its aim is to position the borough not just as a filming location, but as a place where content is created, businesses grow and careers are built.
The working group will focus on strengthening industry infrastructure, supporting local talent and creating new opportunities, both in front of and behind the camera.
“For years, Croydon has helped other places tell their stories, standing in for global cities, fictional worlds and iconic locations on screen. Now, with the launch of the CRO‑llywood Working Group, we have the opportunity to tell our own story.
“We have the locations, the talent, the transport connections and the creative energy.
“The purpose of the CRO‑llywood Working Group is to bring those strengths together and support the next generation of creative talent.
“Earlier this year I met with representatives from the British Film Commission. They recognise the opportunity that exists here and were supportive of Croydon’s aspiration to play a bigger role in the future of film and television production.
“Our vision is to support a full pipeline of roles across the sector – from filmmakers, producers and writers, to editors, camera operators, sound engineers, visual effects artists and production teams.
“By bringing these elements together, we can establish Croydon’s position as one of London’s leading destinations for film, television and digital media production.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
