22 November 2022
Develop Croydon Conference 2022: Partnership key to thriving district centres
Development, SHW News
Croydon’s district centres are continuing to grow and change but what do they need to ensure they are successful? At the Develop Croydon Conference 2022, the ‘community and character in Croydon’s district centres’ session, delegates discussed future developments and how to ensure Croydon’s regeneration is in line with the resident’s needs, respecting the unique characteristics of our district centres.
Councillor Jeet Bains, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, Croydon Council highlighted the importance of the four P’s – partnership, policy, politics, and pennies.
Cllr Bains noted the differences between districts and called for a deeper examination of each district’s individual issues and their “real needs”.
NewPlace group founder Joe Garner said that partnership played a significant role in the success of a district. He gave the example of Coulsdon and how it had thrived because of its improved transport links and its new housing development, which brought more people into the area. He suggested that affordable housing and improvements in basic amenities on the high street could strengthen the district but, “we can’t do it without people staying and making it their community.”
Cllr Bains said policies like the revoking of the SPD2 have helped as developments will now keep in with the character of the local areas. He also highlighted the role of the council in ensuring there was access to funding and to encourage growth in the district centres.
Among the district centres that are thriving now, Richard Plant, partner at SHW and chairman of Develop Croydon talked about Norwood, with its “solid nighttime economy” and rising house prices. He credits this to it being “a centre, keeping everybody there, with easy access”.
He highlighted the main elements that made such areas successful, including “a diverse range of independence.” With a range of independent small businesses that won’t work in a shopping centre, these shops are “more of an experience.”
Mr Garner agreed as he mentioned: “If you give people a reason to come to the town centres, then we solve all of the issues.”
Simon Cripps, chairman of the Purley BID noted that BIDs are there to support the smaller businesses in district centres, helping them to remain in the area and grow. The BID supports by providing security, access, business support promotion, and greening the local area, in turn supporting the wider community.
What are the characteristics needed to create a thriving district centre?
Delegates took part in a workshop to discuss what they believed to be the key drivers for a thriving district centre, key suggestions included: a strong commercial centre, good transport connectivity, a variety of offerings reflecting the community, civic and community buildings including libraries and swimming pools, independent banks and retailers, a safe environment, accessible parking, access to nature, a good residential offer, entertainment including cinema and youth clubs, co-working spaces and spaces for intergenerational bonding, plus cultural offerings including art spaces, multi-use spaces, controlled graffiti walls and ongoing local planning consultations to ensure the residents are involved.
Other stories from the conference:
https://developcroydon.com/develop-croydon-conference-croydon-town-centre/
https://developcroydon.com/develop-croydon-conference-attracting-dynamic-businesses/
https://developcroydon.com/mayor-jason-perry-at-develop-croydon-conference-2022/
https://developcroydon.com/develop-croydon-conference-2022-london-borough-of-culture/
https://developcroydon.com/develop-croydon-conference-2022-sustainability-the-only-way-forward/
