In Contact Spring 2015 by MattandNikki

In Contact Spring 2015

Croydon Boxpark set to open in 2016

The design for Croydon Boxpark

A brand new pop-up shopping mall is set to open in Croydon next summer, creating what the owners describe as a ‘modern Covent Garden’ at Ruskin Square, adjacent to East Croydon station. The owners of Boxpark, the world’s first pop-up mall which opened in Shoreditch, East London in 2011, have put their weight behind plans for Croydon’s regeneration by announcing their intention to create their second mall in Croydon next year. The development is expected to lead to the creation of 200 new jobs as well as a range of apprenticeship opportunities. Boxpark Croydon is set to mirror the design of Shoreditch’s world-famous mall, with small independent retailers creating a new and unique shopping and dining experience in the area and is expected to draw customers and new businesses from across South London, Surrey and Sussex. The two-storey mall will consist of 80 units, constructed of stripped and refitted shipping containers, arranged around a covered courtyard space made available for year-round events. Offering a click and collect service,

Boxpark Marketplace will allow customers to physically shop for products in stores, as well as to purchase and share items online and on their mobile. Work is already underway at Ruskin Square, the £500m mixed-use scheme commissioned by the Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (SREF) and Stanhope plc, with the first residential phase of 161 new homes, due to be completed in 2016. In total, Ruskin Square is set to create up to 1.25 million sq. ft. of office accommodation, 625 new homes and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of retail, café and restaurant space. Commenting on the shopping scheme, Boxpark founder and chief executive Roger Wade said:“Croydon is one of the last London boroughs to be developed. Stratford, White City and Nine Elms have all seen recent new developments. I want everyone to re-think their view of Croydon. It’s the home of Kate Moss, Tracey Emin, and now Boxpark!”

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By offering flexible leases and affordable rents, Boxpark Croydon will offer small businesses, as well as established brands, a route to market. Start-up brands will also be given priority. Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader of Croydon Council and cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said: “This is great news for Croydon and a real sign of the progress and regeneration that is happening in our borough. Located at one of the main gateways to Croydon, it means that the moment people arrive they will immediately see the exciting transformation of our town centre taking place. “Boxpark will help attract more visitors to the area and provide a fantastic alternative shopping experience. We’ve seen how successful it has been in Shoreditch and we are really confident of replicating that here.” James Lass, fund manager at SREF, said: “The deal secured with the creators of Boxpark is a hugely significant milestone, not only for Ruskin Square but for the wider regeneration drive currently taking place in Croydon. The arrival of such a

celebrated and unique brand supports Croydon’s exciting transformation into a vibrant commercial, retail and leisure destination.” Jason Margrave, Stanhope’s director of development, said: “We are on site building the first phase of residential and have detailed planning permission for the first office building so it is great that we have reached an agreement with Boxpark to take temporary space at Ruskin Square to offer their unique brand of shopping, restaurants and cafés. This will help to bring an increased vibrancy and sense of arrival at East Croydon station, foregrounding the mix of uses proposed within the wider Ruskin Square development.”

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Croydon’s famous commemorated

Many of Croydon’s most iconic buildings will be open to the public this summer as part of the week-long Heritage Festival, organised by the Whitgift Foundation charity, which this year has chosen ‘Famous Croydon’ as its theme. Croydon Airport, once the world’s biggest international airport, the London Tramlink depot and the 400 years old Whitgift Almshouses, are just three of the locations that will be throwing open their doors during the Open Buildings Tours – one of the highpoints of the entire event, which runs from Saturday, June 20th – Sunday, June 28th.

superstars as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Katy B and Jessie J, Croydon has a wealth of famous connections, many of which have been forgotten over the years.

The tours are one of the most popular aspects of the festival which this year will be commemorating Croydon’s links to many iconic faces and events of the past and present, as well as providing a platform for local rising stars of the future.

Home of the UK’s first international airport, regularly frequented by such famous Hollywood stars as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, Croydon has provided the backdrop for a wide range of TV and film productions including the hit, Hollywood blockbuster The Da Vinci Code, as well as being the birth place of Cicely Mary Barker, author and illustrator of the much loved ‘Flower Fairies’ series of books.

In addition to being home to the world-renowned BRIT school, famous for spawning such international

To mark the famous Croydon of today, a newly launched walking trail will invite people to visit local landmarks

and famous spots, following a specially produced map to help them find their way. In the meantime, the town’s young stars are being invited to reveal their artistic talents by illustrating how they see their Croydon of the future, with opportunities to exhibit work throughout the festival or to perform as part of Heritage Day on June 20th, when the town will come to life with a celebration of all that’s great and good about Croydon. Last year’s festival was a roaring success, with thousands of visitors enjoying over 100 events throughout the town, all achieved through the collective effort of more than 75 local organisations, many of which are already planning to make this year’s

festival bigger, better and more iconic than ever. Commenting on the event, Martin Corney, chief executive of The Whitgift Foundation, said: “This is our third year for Croydon Heritage Festival, and it looks set to be the best yet. “It’s fantastic to see the local community are again ready to support the festival with an overwhelming level of enthusiasm and engagement, especially working around our exciting new theme for 2015. There is so much going on for Croydon - the festival will be a great asset to the changing image of the town, driving visitors and business to the area as we see the wider plans for redevelopment unfold.” To get involved with the event or find out more, visit: www. croydonheritagefestival.co.uk

Major cycling event comes to town Croydon will step onto the world stage next month when it hosts a major event in the cycling calendar, with thousands of spectators expected to turn out to see some of Britain’s top cyclists in action. Two of Britain’s main professional cycling events, the Pearl Izumi Men’s Tour Series and Matrix Fitness Women’s Grand Prix, will be coming to Croydon town centre at 5.00pm on Tuesday, June 2nd. Team WIGGINS, formed by 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins and the ONE Pro Cycling team of England cricketer Matt Prior join the list of teams headlined by defending champions JLT Condor. The 75-minute men’s race is one of

ten events taking place this summer at different town centre venues across the UK and is the only London event – other than Canary Wharf. The one-hour women’s race is one of five events across the country. The 1km cycle route will include the north part of the North End pedestrianised area, crossing the tram lines at George Street and Church Street and Surrey Street. Road closures are anticipated in the

town at the time and Croydon Tramlink will be suspended in the town centre for the duration of the race, as well as in the lead up to and immediately after it. Surrey Street Market will close early to allow the event to take place.

a great opportunity to show off Croydon to a worldwide audience and demonstrates the growing confidence shown in our exciting borough.

As part of news coverage of the race, Croydon will be the subject of a one hour highlights programme on ITV4 and Eurosport, which will broadcast in 100 countries.

“These are major sporting events that will contribute to the much-improved cultural offer of the town centre and it is a great opportunity to promote healthy living and encourage more people to cycle.”

Commenting on the event, Council leader Tony Newman said: “This is

For information on the road closures, visit www.croydonbid.com.

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Town Centre crime rates falling New figures released by the Metropolitan Police have helped to highlight the positive impact that the funding by businesses of extra police resource is having on reducing crime rates in the town centre. Across seven of the key performance measures set for the Metropolitan Police by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the figures for the twelve months from April 2014 to March 2015 show that the number of reported crimes in the town centre was 5.74% lower than in the corresponding period to March 2014. Significantly, the town centre figures show reductions in thefts from a person (down 33%) and in thefts from a motor vehicle (down 38.5%), while burglaries and robberies have also fallen over the same period, by 15% and 12% respectively. The results help to underline the extent to which the town centre community continues to benefit from a joint funding agreement between the Metropolitan Police and Croydon BID which has been in place since 2008 and provides for additional dedicated police resource in the town centre.

Continuation of the match-funding arrangement has just been confirmed by the BID for 2015-16, serving to reinforce the business community’s determination to ensure that everyone who uses the town centre can feel safe and secure whenever they visit. “We’re pleased to reaffirm our continued commitment to funding extra police resource in the town centre and these latest crime figures demonstrate the positive benefit that the arrangement brings to the town centre community,” said Croydon BID chief executive, Matthew Sims. “Based on the research we conducted last year, the extra police resource, combined with the continued success of our Business Crime Reduction Partnership, certainly appears to be paying dividends too in helping to reassure people over their safety in the town,” he added. The survey of 400 consumers shows

Safer Croydon Radio – get on board Croydon BID is urging businesses to get on board the Council’s newly-relaunched Safer Croydon Radio (SCR) scheme, as a crucial means of ensuring that everyone who uses our town centre feels safe and secure, while making the most of what Croydon has to offer. The scheme was re-launched last summer, following the introduction of new, up-to-date digital radio technology that provides businesses with a fast and direct link to the Council’s CCTV surveillance team, enabling them to share information quickly and easily with each other and assist in the apprehension of offenders.

Some 144 businesses, including shops, pubs, bars, clubs and bookmakers have already signed up to the scheme, using it to report sightings or descriptions of known offenders in the town, as well as sharing ‘realtime’ intelligence on any incidents or suspicious behaviour. The surveillance cameras operate 24 hours each day, seven days a week and can be used to monitor and record incidents as well as to track the movements of offenders in and around the town centre and beyond, aiding their apprehension. Shaun Webster, Croydon BID’s business crime reduction manager said: “The Safer Croydon Radio scheme provides businesses with a fast and unique means of reporting crimes and suspicious behaviour to other members of the business community and directly to the Council’s CCTV control room. “The cameras are able to track

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96% of people say they feel safe alone in the town centre during the day – a rise of 3% on the previous year – while 69% say they feel safe alone during the evening, an increase of 17% on the previous year’s figure. “The excellent relationship that Croydon Police enjoys with Croydon BID is personified by the fact that the BID funds extra police officers to keep the town centre safe,” said Borough Commander Andy Tarrant. “I look forward to working with the BID over the next 12 months, to make the local area even safer and to tackle those issues that are of most concern to businesses in the area.” In addition to continuing with its funding of additional police resource in the town centre, Croydon BID has also confirmed its intention to continue with its funding of additional British Transport Police patrols on the town’s transport system. Commenting on the arrangement,

British Transport Police Inspector Jack Ioannou said: “Croydon British Transport Police has recorded an overall drop in crime of 12.2% this performance year. The achievement is due to the excellent focussed team work of the Metropolitan Police Service, Southern Train Operating Company, Croydon Tramlink and Croydon BID which has funded extra patrols on the town centre transport system at key times, helping to provide reassurance to the travelling public and deter and tackle crime.” To find out more about our various safety initiatives visit: www. croydonbid.com.

offenders long after they have left the scene and can assist with the identification of suspects and their location, both during and after the incident.” The radios are also equipped with a panic button that sounds an alarm directly in the CCTV control room, instantly alerting staff to move the surveillance cameras to the caller’s position and to get in touch. “This is a really powerful tool in the armoury for deterring and tackling crime in our town centre and I would urge every business that is concerned about protecting their bottom line to seriously consider joining the scheme and to get in touch for further information.” Membership of the Safer Croydon Radio scheme costs £288 plus VAT per year. To join, businesses must enter

into a Safer Croydon Radio rental agreement with Croydon Council and, as soon as the agreement is received, Croydon BID will arrange delivery of the radio within 24 hours and provide training on how to use it. If you would like to discuss the Safer Croydon Radio Scheme or find out if it is suitable for your business, contact Shaun Webster, business crime reduction manager on 020 8603 0055 or email: shaun.webster@ croydonbid.com.

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Fresh drive to tackle drink-related crime Fresh efforts to crack down on drink-related violence appear to be paying off, following the introduction of breathalysers in late-night venues in the town centre. Concern about the growth of alcohol pre-loading - where individuals arrive at a licensed venue, clearly already worse for wear – led to the trialling of breathalysers in the town centre in November, as a means of tackling drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The breathalysers work on a traffic light system and are used by night club door staff to determine whether individuals arriving at the club have already been drinking. Those with too high an alcohol reading are refused entry.

Backed by the Council, Police, Croydon BID and local businesses, the breathalysers have since been introduced on a voluntary basis in four venues across the town centre – Bad Apple, Tiger Tiger, Dice Bar and SLVR - and are already showing positive results.

Commenting on the initiative, Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice said: “The aim is to reduce the number of people binge drinking and pre-loading and breathalysers are a good addition to the measures already in place to help keep the town centre safe.

Chief Inspector Peter McGarry added: “During the pilot, venues reported fewer arguments with door staff caused by intoxicated customers attempting to gain entry to their clubs. They accepted the breathalyser’s results and consequently, this has led to a reduction in the potential for alcohol-related disorder taking place inside premises.” This is a view endorsed by venues participating in the scheme. Roy Seda, director at Dice Bar said: “Dice Bar is really pleased to have been involved with the initial trials of breathalysers in Croydon and their subsequent introduction. The breathalyser is a simple and easy way for staff to confirm their suspicions about people who arrive at the club, already under the influence of alcohol and it helps us to make a convincing case for barring them from entry. “The comfort and safety of all our customers and staff is extremely

Helping you stay safe at night While most people simply focus on going out on the town to have a good time, a little-known group of volunteers works hard behind the scenes here in Croydon, playing a vital role in assisting late night revellers whose night might not be going quite to plan.

the most of their night out.

Working between the hours of 10.00pm and 4.00am almost every Friday and once a month on Saturdays, the Croydon Street Pastors patrol virtually the entire town centre, helping night-clubbers and pub-goers make

In the last six months alone, they have helped nearly 120 individuals who were at risk, vulnerable or feeling worse for wear, providing them with advice and practical help to stay safe on their night out.

The Street Pastors initiative first arrived in Croydon in 2007 and Croydon BID is pleased to have helped fund their work since the summer of last year. Taking a softly-softly, low-key approach towards providing advice and assistance, the team of up to five volunteers are ready to lend an ear, have a chat and, more crucially, offer help to anyone who needs it.

important to us as a business. The breathalyser is a useful tool to help safeguard that.” Paul Bossik owner of Bad Apple added: “Introduction of a breathalyser into our venue has brought some real positive benefits to our business. “Not only does it assist us in helping to identify people who are pre-loaded with alcohol before they arrive, the extra engagement with door staff gives us a greater chance to assess people’s attitudes as well as their sobriety. It also acts as a deterrent to those inclined to pre-load and sends out a positive message to the public about the steps we’re taking to ensure their safety.” To find out more about the scheme and how your business can get involved, contact our business crime reduction manager, Shaun Webster, on 020 8603 0055 or email shaun. webster@croydonbid.com.

diffuse volatile situations which could otherwise spill over into violence, as well as administering basic first aid to those who’ve had an accident or been injured in some way. “Croydon’s Street Pastors do a fantastic job. They are friendly, approachable and excellent in tricky situations, having a real calming influence on people and providing first rate care,” commented Esther Sutton, Chair of Croydon’s PubWatch scheme. Working alongside the Police, late night venues and other support agencies, the volunteers deal with a host of situations that others would find offputting or challenging: handing out foil blankets or bottled water to those feeling ill or worse for wear; helping those alone, vulnerable and penniless to get home safely by cab and even handing out flip–flops to women who have abandoned their high heeled shoes or are unsteady on their feet. They also often step in to help

Shaun Webster, Croydon BID’s business crime reduction manager added: “We are pleased to support the work of the Street Pastors here in Croydon. The team helps people in a number of valuable ways, playing a vital role in helping people to stay safe when they are out socialising in the town centre. They really have to be commended for the valuable help they provide.” For more information visit: www.croydonbid.com or www.croydon.streetpastors.org.uk.

About Croydon BID Our aim is to ensure that Croydon increasingly is regarded as one of the best places in south London to visit, work, live and do business by delivering positive change and improvements to the Town Centre that enhance its competitive position. We represent the interests of around 600 businesses and our projects and services directly reflect their expressed, up-to-date priorities, namely: that the town should be made safer, cleaner, better promoted, more attractive and more accessible. We are funded through a mandatory 1% levy collected from all businesses in the area with a rateable value of £40,000 or more. As a result, since the BID was first formed in 2007, in excess of £10 million of extra investment has been made on improving the Town Centre.

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