Six years on, Brick by Brick approaching its final reckoning

Posted on November 11, 2026 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Companies House filings today mark the latest stage in winding up the council’s failed housing developer. But clearing the paperwork does not mean recovering the money. By STEVEN DOWNES

Someone in Fisher’s Folly must have a very dark sense of humour. Or they are a sadist.

Just after two o’clock today, a flurry of notifications appeared on the Companies House website showing Brick by Brick’s “satisfaction of charges”. It represented the multi-million-pound wreckage of the council’s failed housing developer finally being cleared from the official register.

Today, November 11, also just happens to be the sixth anniversary of Croydon Council issuing a Section 114 notice, the admission it could no longer balance its books – in large part because Brick by Brick had failed to make its debt repayments. Continue reading →

Posted in Brick by Brick, Business, Colm Lacey, Croydon Council, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Join us for iC’s The Faces of the Minster tour, Tue Nov 24

Posted on November 11, 2026 by insidecroydon

Croydon Minster has a rich history going back more than 1,000 years.

Minster marvels: David Morgan will be leading our latest history tour on Nov 24

And later this month, Inside Croydon readers can enjoy a guided tour – The Faces of the Minster – led by the Minster’s archivist.

This is a rare opportunity to gain an real insight into the building which has been at the centre of the town’s history since the Domesday Book – and possibly even before.

David Morgan is the Minster’s official archivist, as well as the resident historian at Inside Croydon, who has been delighting our readers with the many finely researched and detailed chronicles about the town, its people and the lives they have led in and around what used to be called the Parish Church.

It was David’s work on the very beginnings of the church in Croydon that discovered that the town is probably at least 150 years older than anyone had previously thought, with its foundations going back to around 810 and the Anglo-Saxons.

This tour will focus on the faces of people and other creatures which stare at you from the stonework of the building or from their memorials. Continue reading →

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MP Irons backs latest calls to unblock the ‘Selhurst Bottleneck’

Posted on November 11, 2026 by insidecroydon

Millionaire’s ‘think tank’ proposes £1 levy on flights leaving Gatwick and ‘capturing the rise in local land values’ to help pay for long-overdue upgrade to junction to the north of East Croydon Station

A report from a right-of-centre “think tank” calls on the government to revive plans to untangle the “Croydon bottleneck” – the junction at Selhurst that is notorious for holding up trains from London to the south coast. And it proposes

The Good Growth Foundation’s A Gateway to Gatwick – and Beyond argues that the expansion of the airport will only win local support if the benefits reach the communities along the line, starting with Croydon.

The report has a foreword from Natasha Irons, the Labour MP for Croydon East.

CARS – the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme – was developed by Network Rail to expand East Croydon from six to eight platforms and replace the flat junctions built in the 19th Century with grade-separated ones.

CARS was paused in 2022 for lack of money. Its full cost was previously estimated at around £2.9billion. Continue reading →

Posted in Commuting, Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme, East Croydon, Norwood Junction, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Box of Delights, Coulsdon Community Centre, Dec 12-20

Posted on November 11, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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King’s Town Hall gambit has Labour teamed up with Tories

Posted on November 10, 2026 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Orders from Labour Party’s Central Command and local enmities look to consign our borough’s residents to years of more party political pantomime that shores up the position of bungling Mayor Jason Perry. By WALTER CRONXITE, Political Editor

Labour has directed the party’s local councillors in town halls around the country to not work with the Green Party.

The injunction, from the party of Mandelson, Starmer and McSweeney, is unlikely to have much of an effect in Croydon, where Labour already loathes the Greens.

Labour has 30 of Croydon’s 70 councillors, the Greens eight – enough, if they were to work together, to ensure a majority vote at full council meetings between now and 2030, when the next elections are due to take place.

But in Croydon, the key detail is that we have a Conservative Mayor, directly elected. In May, Tory Jason Perry was re-elected by a paltry majority of just 1,113 votes from Labour’s Rowenna Davis. Green Party candidate Peter Underwood was third, with 19,404 votes… Continue reading →

Posted in Adam Kellett, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Croydon Greens, Mayor Jason Perry, Ria Patel, Rowenna Davis, Stuart King | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Network Rail to close Redhill Station for works over Christmas

Posted on November 10, 2026 by insidecroydon

Track works: one mile of track near Redhill Station will be replaced over two weeks at Christmas time. More works are scheduled in Sussex in February

No trains from Coulsdon South over Christmas and New Year, as Network Rail replaces one mile of track

Anyone wanting to travel by train south of Croydon, Purley or Coulsdon, whether to the south coast or via Redhill Station, can expect several weeks of disruption and bus replacement services, spread over the course of three months, beginning at the station in Surrey for two weeks over Christmas and the New Year.

There will then be further engineering works affecting Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express passengers travelling between Three Bridges and Brighton over the February half-term.

The Redhill Station closure, which impacts all journeys from Coulsdon South, rated little more than a footnote in a Network Rail announcement this morning, but the plans are liable to affect tens of thousands of commuters, as well as those hoping to make Christmas shopping trips or visit relatives over the festive period. Continue reading →

Posted in Commuting, Coulsdon, East Croydon, Purley, Redhill, Surrey, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ridgway Primary helps dial up the memories for Sanderstead

Posted on November 10, 2026 by insidecroydon

Sanderstead’s right on time – with a centenary sundial which was formally installed by The Gruffy on Friday.

Dialling in: the SRA’s centenary sundial has now been set in place

The sundial, and a time capsule buried beneath it, are the latest, and last, formal pieces of commemoration of the centenary of the Sanderstead Residents’ Association, which was founded in 1926.

Earlier in the year, SRA did much work to clean up the Gruffy pond, as well as installing a new duck house.

The sundial ceremony was conducted on Friday. Since when, there has been little sunshine to put the careful alignment of the sundial by SRA committee members to the test.

Pupils at Ridgway Primary School provided letters, artwork, Sanderstead postcards and a selection of other items relating to 2026 to place in thee canister, in which they explained for the children of 2126 what they like like about living in Sanderstead. Continue reading →

Posted in Community associations, Croydon parks, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Residents Association, Schools, Veolia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

All kicking off for NHS London’s Big Week for flu vaccinations

Posted on November 10, 2026 by insidecroydon

Londoners can get their flu jab at a shopping centre, a place of worship or even at a football match as the NHS kicks off its Big Week of Vaccinations to protect the capital before winter takes hold.

All aboard: NHS London’s jab bus is on a tour of south-east London

The latest bout of flu is already sweeping through the capital’s communities, leaving older and vulnerable Londoners at risk of what can be a very debilitating illness. Flu is not “just a bad cold”, but a serious respiratory infection caused by viruses that can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure and hospitalisation. The very young, older people, pregnant women and those with long-term medical conditions are at particular risk.

Mobile vaccination buses are touring London, and same-day, walk-in jabs are available at around 1,700 sites. It is always worthwhile checking ahead, though: the pharmacy at one store in the Whitgift Centre in Croydon had run out of stock of the vaccination at the weekend.

There are 2.1million vaccination slots available through the NHS App or by calling 119. Continue reading →

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Toxic air pollution warning is issued across foggy London

Posted on November 10, 2026 by insidecroydon

Foggy day in Croydon: Lloyd Park has been blanketed in thick fog each morning since the weekend

Croydon is under a toxic fog warning today, as high levels of air pollution have built up after days of light winds.

A high alert for air pollution was issued across London following advice from forecasters at Imperial College. Vulnerable residents are being urged to take particular care.

Separately, the Met Office has issued a “yellow” fog alert for large parts of England and Wales, with visibility expected to fall below 100metres in some areas overnight. Fog was dense enough last night to cause flight cancellations from Heathrow and City airports. Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Health, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This Sceptred Isle, Croydon Bach Choir concert, Sat Dec 5

Posted on November 10, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Hundreds attend New Addington service for ‘forgotten tragedy’

Posted on November 9, 2026 by insidecroydon

Solemn service: an estimated 500 people gathered on Central Parade for this morning’s ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Croydon tram crash

The civic service in New Addington this morning to mark the 10th anniversary of the Croydon tram disaster was impeccably observed, attended by an estimated 500 people.

Always remembered: the memorial on Central Parade for those killed in the tram crash

As well as some speeches and prayers, there was a two-minute silence.

Civic Mayor Mohammed Islam led proceedings. Natasha Irons, the MP for the area, as well as all four New Addington councillors and several other figures from the Town Hall, were present.

Representatives from the emergency services were also present, including some who attended the devastating scenes not far from the Sandilands tram stop early on the morning of November 9, 2016.

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith was in New Addington this morning. “On the 10th anniversary of this tragic incident, my thoughts, and those of everyone at London Fire Brigade, are with those who lost loved ones, those who survived, and those who continue to feel the impact of this terrible incident.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to those firefighters and emergency service workers who responded on the day. We have not forgotten the dedication and professionalism shown by all those who worked tirelessly at the scene. Continue reading →

Posted in New Addington North, New Addington South, Sandilands derailment, South Norwood, Tramlink, Wayne Lawlor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dog rescued from house fire caused by celebration candle

Posted on November 9, 2026 by insidecroydon

With more Diwali celebrations expected this evening, the London Fire Brigade has issued another warning about the misuse of fireworks and fire safety in and around people’s homes, after dealing with more than 3,000 emergency call-outs in the last four nights.

The call-outs include firefighters using breathing equipment when rescuing a dog from a burning house in Croydon last night, where the fire is thought to have started from a ceremonial candle.

Four fire engines from Woodside, Addington and Beckenham fire stations, and around 25 firefighters, tackled the house fire on Parkfields in Shirley. The Brigade was called out at 6.47pm and had the fire under control within an hour. There are no reported injuries.

Part of the first floor of the end-of-terrace house and part of the front of a neighbouring property were damaged by the fire. Continue reading →

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Great British Bake Off producers seek entrants from Croydon

Posted on November 9, 2026 by insidecroydon

Applications for the next series of The Great British Bake Off are now open, and the producers are seeking applications from the great bakers of Croydon for their 2027 series.

What they call “the search for the next generation of bakers” is looking for the kind of people who make their own bread when the supermarket is two minutes away.

Or those who turn up to birthdays with a cake that’s taller than the birthday boy.

Or who shudder at the thought of a shop-bought shortcrust.

“If that sounds like you, we’d like a word,” says Love Productions. Continue reading →

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Free tickets available for BBC concert at the Fairfield Halls

Posted on November 9, 2026 by insidecroydon

Tickets are available, free of charge, for a concert by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Francesco Coll, that is taking place at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls next Tuesday.

‘Spanish passion’: composer-conductor Francisco Coll is performing in Croydon next week

“Spanish passion, flying tackles and comedy at its juiciest: it’s all about the sensations,” says the BBC as they seek audience members for their recording of the concert which features composer-conductor Coll and pianist Elisabeth Brauss.

“They call it ‘Duende‘ – the untamed passion at the heart of flamenco. For the poet Gabriel Garcia Lorca, it was ‘that mysterious power that everyone feels but no philosopher can explain’, and it’s the driving spirit behind Coll’s Ciudad sin sueño (The city that never sleeps), a piano concerto inspired by an impossible dream.

“Coll has made his concerto the centrepiece of a whole concert inspired by fantasy at it most thrillingly physical.” Continue reading →

Posted in Fairfield Halls, Music | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Croydon homes among capital’s most affordable for buyers

Posted on November 9, 2026 by insidecroydon

Croydon is one of the most affordable places to buy a home in London.

Bargain sales: Croydon properties compare well to the rest of London on affordability according to Zoopla

Research conducted by online property portal Zoopla compared average incomes and house prices by borough, and found that in Croydon, homes have been selling for 5.26 times the average household income.

Seven of London’s most affordable boroughs are south of the river, with Tower Hamlets in east London ranked top with the median-priced home of £455,200 being 4.91 times that area’s average household income.

Greenwich and Croydon were ranked joint second. Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, London-wide issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CODA presents Spitfire Girls, at Selsdon Hall, Nov 26-29

Posted on November 9, 2026 by insidecroydon

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Posted in Advertisement, Advertisement features, Art, CODA, Music, Selsdon and Addington Village, Selsdon Vale and Forestdale | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

To the Manor borne: Croydon’s evacuees and the millionaire

Posted on November 8, 2026 by insidecroydon

Out and about: more than 100 nursery-age children were evacuated from Croydon to the Rothschilds’ Buckinghamshire manor house during World War II

CROYDON CHRONICLES: When everyone was expected to ‘do their bit’ for the war effort, there was a brewing row at the Town Hall over payments of thousands of pounds to one of the richest families in the world.
DAVID MORGAN delves into the archive for the story of the borough’s ‘Blitz babies, orphans and foundlings’

One word which brought both comfort and distress to the civilian population in  World War II was evacuation.

In 1939 and 1940, the government and local authorities were charged with making huge efforts to keep the local populations of the country safe. Croydon was spending £8,000 a week – nearly £700,000 in today’s values – on salaries for air raid wardens and other precautions, according to one newspaper report.

This was a significant sum of money, and with good cause: Croydon had been subject to a Zeppelin bombing raid in World War I, and was perhaps even more of a target for enemy bombers in 1939, with two RAF bases, Croydon and nearby Kenley, and other strategic targets, such as the railway.

And Croydon did suffer many deadly air raids during the Blitz of World War II. Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon Council, David Morgan, History, Schools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The croissants in Janes are good, the arguments not so much

Posted on November 8, 2026 by insidecroydon

KEN TOWL set off on a mission to trial the new bakery chain in town and got much more than he bargained for

Coffee, croissant and a row: you can get more than you bargained for in Janes in Addiscombe

At breakfast time on Saturday, I popped into Janes Pantry to try their coffee and their croissant, and I heard a slightly outré bit of “workplace banter”, the sort that you don’t usually enter into within the earshot of customers.

It shattered my illusion.

I had pictured Janes Pantry, just like the Coughlans chain they have replaced, as decidedly bourgeois, somewhere in the pastry world between the proudly proletarian Greggs and the archly aristocratic Gails.

I hadn’t imagined it to be anything like the front room of a Soho sex parlour, so when young man asked me what I would like, I had to suppress my imagination as it ran through a smorgasbord of potential services that he might be offering. Continue reading →

Posted in Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Business, Coughlan's, Janes Pantry, Ken Towl | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Museum of Croydon Art Book Club, Clocktower Café, Nov 14

Posted on November 8, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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We’ve got it mapped: iC’s guide to the Coulsdon Art Trail

Posted on November 7, 2026 by insidecroydon

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Posted in Art, Community associations, Coulsdon, Coulsdon East, Croydon parks, East Coulsdon Residents' Association, History, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SES Water refills Carshalton Ponds as an ‘act of Remembrance’

Posted on November 7, 2026 by insidecroydon

Puddled sludge: the top pond at Carshalton is getting topped up this weekend

Carshalton Ponds are getting topped up this weekend.

That’s so that Remembrance Sunday ceremonials can be conducted without the unsightly backdrop of puddled sludge and miserable-looking geese.

Almost a month since the upper pond emptied overnight, Sutton Council admits it has still to find an explanation – although missing concrete plugs and a reduced supply of water due to the summer drought and hosepipe ban, seem to be the consensus. Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Honeywood Museum, Sutton Council, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Croydon Airport Heyday Revival open day, Purley Way, Dec 6

Posted on November 7, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Posted in Advertisement, Advertisement features, Charity, Community associations, Croydon Airport, Croydon Airport Society, History | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Artisan Craft Market, Glenthorne Ave, Shirley, Sat Nov 14

Posted on November 7, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T


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Westfield keeping schtum about their Croydon data centre

Posted on November 6, 2026 by insidecroydon

‘Future-proofing Croydon’: Meta’s Prometheus AI datacenter ‘supercluster’ in Ohio. Westfield wants to build a data centre on the site of the Whitgift Centre

The latest public consultation on the long-delayed regeneration of the town centre offers little detail about the property speculators’ money-spinning proposals for the old Whitgift Centre. By STEVEN DOWNES

In the United States this week, data centres (or, in American,  datacenters) were on the ballot paper in the mid-term elections in around 40 areas.

The American public rejected almost every one of them.

Here in Croydon, Unibail Rodamco Westfield, the Paris-based property speculators, have spent the past month running what is supposed to be a public consultation over their latest ideas for regenerating the town centre. Their 25-page brochure and accompanying questionnaire barely mentions that part of their latest proposals is to build a data centre. Continue reading →

Posted in "Hammersfield", Adam Smith, Business, Centrale, Croydon Council, Environment, Fairfield, Housing, Planning, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Whitgift Centre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

South Croydon bar set to be restored after year-long closure

Posted on November 6, 2026 by insidecroydon

Restoration work: painters and decorators have been busy in South Croydon’s ‘Restaurant Quarter’ over the past fortnight

The Store is being restored.

The South Croydon pub with a long-term identity crisis – previously called The Joker, Bar TXT et al – is set to reopen this month, though now with more of the air of an all-day café or bistro than a old-style south London boozer.

Works have been going over the past fortnight to prepare The Store for re-opening.

Posters in the glass frontage of the building, made up to look like the front page of a newspaper, The Croydon Herald’s “Special reopening edition”, have the headline: “ABOUT BLOODY TIME”.

With a sub-deck: “The Store is reopening.”

And it continues: “Croydon’s all-day social is making a comeback. The Store returns with food, drinks, coffee and good times from morning ‘til late.

“After what can only be described as far too long, The Store is preparing to throw open its doors once again.

“A much-loved part of Croydon’s social scene, the venue will return with the same spirit, a fresh chapter and a warm welcome for old friends and new.

“Same place. Still good company.” Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Property, Pubs, Restaurants, South Croydon | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments