The regeneration of Croydon town centre is a priority for me, and I’m determined that we create a bold vision for the future of the town, of which we can all be proud. Working with residents, staff, community groups, businesses, and partners has re-affirmed that this remains as important to you too.  We have been carrying out a huge programme of engagement on our town centre strategy – and I want to thank everyone who has already been involved and shared their vision, their passion and their support.

Last week I held a town centre workshop with our strategic partners in the regeneration space. This included, Partnering Regeneration Development (PRD), Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) owner and developer of the Whitgift & Centrale North End shopping area, and Peter Freeman, chair of Homes England and the visionary force behind Kings Cross regeneration. This was facilitated by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as part of the Council’s wider transformation work. I am very grateful, for the enthusiasm and generation of ideas that this group brought forward.

We looked at what insights can be learned from successful regeneration projects, such as Kings Cross, which can help to inform our borough’s most significant regeneration for decades. The session was both challenging and informative with many of the attendees recognising that Croydon has much to offer with its rich history, its diversity, the transport links and the wonderful people who want a town that is thriving. I will be saying more about the vision and the approach to the longer-term regeneration in the near future.

I look forward to continuing to work with our communities and business and partners as we create a vision that is bold, and has a clear pathway to achieving this, so we can restore pride and confidence in the place we call home.

George Floyd Race Matters Pledges

Today, Chief Executive Katherine Kerswell and I welcomed community groups, businesses and organisations to Braithwaite Hall for the Annual George Floyd Race Matters Pledges event. Co-hosted with Croydon BME Forum, the groups pledged to make a difference in our community, to improve the experiences of global majority residents in our borough. We were honoured as a Council to reaffirm our commitment to the George Floyd Race Matters Pledges.

The initiative started in 2022 in response to calls for change in the wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd in the USA. We will continue working together to make Croydon a place where everyone feels valued, has a voice and is free from racism and all forms of discrimination.

Crime Prevention Day

It was a pleasure to give the open address at Neighbourhood Watch Croydon’s crime prevention day and Annual General Meeting last Saturday and to answer questions about how the Council is working with Croydon Police and Neighbourhood Watch to make the borough safer. Thank you to all the volunteers and partners in the neighbourhood watch schemes for helping to keep Croydon safe.

Have a good weekend.

Jason Perry

Executive Mayor of Croydon