Surrey Street market set for revamp

RS Surrey Street Market 2

Pic: Rebekah Stancliffe

Surrey Street market is to receive £500,000 worth of funding from the council as part of a regeneration attempt, it was revealed last week.

The announcement of the investment came following a public meeting which was held at the Croydon conference centre on Surrey Street – to showcase the different ideas and plans which are set for the streets makeover.

Plans include new lighting, paved areas, archways and signs, use of public art and the implementation of a new area in which people can enjoy a variety of different foods offered by street food traders operating in the market.

The council is also considering introducing weekend farmers markets, pop up stalls as well as evening and Sunday trading.

Mark Watson, Cabinet member for communities, safety and justice said: “Local businesses have been calling for improvements to Surrey Street for years. The council sees the market as a real priority because it adds a huge amount of unique character to Croydon as a whole, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to find this money to bring about some much-needed improvements and enhancements.
“Existing market traders and local businesses will see huge benefit from these positive changes and the subsequent growth in trade that we’re now seeing in other parts of the town”.

A food stall owner at the market who didn’t want to be named said: “We think it’s a step in the right direction, we haven’t been here that long, only about seven months but we definitely know the market is in need of a makeover and improvements to make it a bit more of an attraction.

“Hopefully the makeover will give a greater reason for people to come down here and more importantly that they know about Surrey Street as a whole.

“The footfalls stop at the end of the fruit and veg. What I want to see is a development from the whole street from north to south to get people coming all the way through.

“We just want to see the money used to the best of its capabilities that it can be used for”.

Another stall owner, who also didn’t want to be named said: “It has an amazing history looking back at photos, it’s one of the oldest markets here and it’s been put to waste by just selling vegetables.

“It would be brilliant if they tried to incorporate more crafts and food stalls.

“The farmer markets and pop up stalls is brilliant, it’s whatever can be done that brings more people, it would be amazing.

The date that the funding is to be given is yet to be confirmed.

One Response

  1. Miriam Heyburn February 22, 2017

Leave a Reply