Croydon is experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and development, including the £1.5 billion Westfield & Hammerson Retail led scheme which is fundamentally re-shaping the offer of its town centre as a place to live in, work in or visit. However, over the short term, its visitor numbers are falling and the scale of development taking place will create a level of disruption that may present further challenges.

Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is one of the largest BID’s in the country, with levy payers including multiple and independent retailers and large commercial and public sector occupiers.

PRD undertook a strategic review of the Accessibility & Way Finding Strategy, of which key focus has been the Croydon Visitor Centre at East Croydon Station. Whilst the centre had played an important role in welcoming and supporting users of Croydon’s key gateway, the significant changes planned for the town centre required new approaches and a new model for delivery to be developed and agreed. Key recommendations of the review include further development to the BID’s online and mobile presence, co-location together with other occupiers, kiosks and ambassadors and pop-up/meanwhile uses.