Norbury’s residents’ associations have joined forces with local businesses to offer discounts of up to one-fifth off the price of goods and services on offer on the high street, as they seek to strengthen the sense of community spirit.

Pollards Hill, Norbury Green, Norbury Village and Scotts Estate Residents’ associations are working together with a range of independent businesses to build what they call “a better, brighter Norbury of which everyone can be proud”.

The Mayor of Croydon, Manju Shahul Hameed, will launch the “Love Norbury” campaign on July 19.

“The poor state of our streets, particularly the high street, is the issue of greatest concern to Norbury residents,” Ian Clarke, the chairman of the Love Norbury committee, said. “The most common complaints include fly-tipping, litter, overflowing bins, dirty and uneven pavements, dog mess, the drinking of alcohol in the street and other anti-social behaviour.”

The ceremony on Saturday week will begin with the Mayor’s arrival at 10.30am at O Cappucino (1447A London Road), followed by a walkabout along the high street, when Norbury locals will also have an opportunity chat to the committee, find out more about the campaign and hear how they can become involved. There will be free goodies up for grabs, as well as music from a saxophone duo.

Love Norbury banners will hang from lamp posts along the Norbury section of London Road, backed by sponsorship from local businesses that include Flirt Cakes, Protex Electrical Supplies, London Eye Care Centre, Recycle Your Cartridge, Mitchells Estate Agents, Day Lewis Pharmacy, Moda Hair & Beauty, Courier Cars, Afghan Spice and Creams.

From left to right, Ian Clarke, chairman of SERA and Love Norbury, and Love Norbury committee members, Samy Counder and Mark Smith

Steve Reed OBE, the MP for the area, has called the scheme, “a fantastic new community-led initiative to promote and help regenerate our area”.

The MP for Lambeth South said, “Norbury has so much unrealised potential and a fantastic diverse community, but it’s been let down by public authorities over recent years. Now it’s time to halt the years of decline and rebuild a sense of pride in Norbury.”

Among the scheme’s objectives is to increase the variety and quality of shops along the high street. Members of the residents’ associations will receive a Love Norbury discount card for use in local shops, aimed at supporting high street businesses by offering discounts of up to 20 per cent on their goods or services. In return, shops are being encouraged to sign up to the Love Norbury ethos, taking responsibility for the appropriate disposal of commercial waste.

• For more information, please visit: www.lovenorbury.org.uk

Coming to Croydon

• South Norwood Arts Festival, July 5-20
• David Lean Cinema: We Are The Best!, July 10
• Croydon Folk and Blues Festival, July 12
• David Lean Cinema: Half of a Yellow Sun, July 17
• David Lean Cinema: Pantani: Accidental Death of a Cyclist, July 21
• David Lean Cinema: Tracks, July 24
• Fragile, Spread Eagle Theatre, July 24-26
• CODA’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Wandle Park, Jul 30-Aug 2
• David Lean Cinema: Locke, July 31
• Elm Tree Cottage garden open day, Aug 10
• Norwood Society Talk: War Memorials, Sep 18
• Norwood Society Talk: From Fire Station to Theatre, Oct 16
• Norwood Society Talk: Lambeth’s Archives, Nov 20

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