A project to preserve and enhance the rich history of Surrey Street market is under way and Croydon Council is working with community groups, traders and residents to make sure their voices are heard.

The Amplifying Surrey Street project is part of Executive Mayor, Jason Perry’s priority to regenerate the town centre and make the borough cleaner, safer and healthier.

The council successfully bid for £814,000 from the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the project, which aims to protect and drive growth of the historic market; reactivate empty shops and spaces so they can be used by culture, arts and community groups; and create safer, greener public spaces.

The council has been working with a co-production group on the plans for the project, both at the bidding stage and as it develops. The group is made up of local residents, businesses, traders, community organisations and council partners, which is key to making sure a wide range of Croydon-based voices are involved in shaping the improvements.

A survey is now open for all residents and anyone with an interest in the market area, asking for their views on Surrey Street, how they use it and how it could be improved. It is available on the council website and closes on 11 December.

The three-year project aims to preserve and enhance the unique heritage of the Surrey Street market – which dates back to 1276, making it one of the oldest in the UK. It will also address safety concerns, so residents and traders can feel safe travelling around the market area.

Amplifying Surrey Street is part of the wider regeneration of the town centre, which includes the council’s Town Centre Regeneration Strategy, Reconnected Croydon project and the masterplanning of the North End and Allders site by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW).

Croydon secured funding from the GLA through its Civic Partnership Programme, which aims to improve public spaces and give residents of all backgrounds a greater role in shaping their town centres. The funding will be matched by contributions from Croydon Council’s Growth Zone – business rate retention mechanism – that is focused on funding town centre regeneration.

“With its long history as a trading place and cultural hub, Surrey Street Market is an important community asset that we want to revive and preserve for all our residents and traders to enjoy.

“The Amplifying Surrey Street project is part of our plans for the wider regeneration of the town centre, creating a vibrant and welcoming place and restoring pride in Croydon. I do encourage residents and businesses to take part in the survey and future opportunities to have their say on the improvements.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon