MP Sarah Jones behind the bar at the Green Dragon with regional manager Matteo di Mensa
Sarah Jones, the MP for Croydon Central, has welcomed £300,000-worth of private investment in one of the town centre’s most popular pubs, helping to create seven new jobs.
The extensive renovation at the Green Dragon, on the High Street close to Surrey Street, was carried out at the end of last year.
It now sees a first-floor stage regularly host live bands, games nights, and “open mic” evenings every Thursday, with the most impressive artists brilliantly earning a paid weekend slot and bar tab. A “Cosy Corner”, offers X-Box, Play Station, and pool table whilst a Magic Eye Visual Display transmits stage shows to TVs downstairs.
The refurbishment was part of a £50million spend on its pubs by chain operator Stonegate.
After her visit, Jones said, “It was great to visit the Green Dragon and good to see the young people employed there. Pubs are really important to our communities and it’s great to see a versatile, well-run, safe and comfortable pub that reaches out to lots of people in Croydon.”
Susan Quinn, the pub manager, said, “We were delighted that Sarah came to meet the team and see the transformation of our business. It was great to know that as our local MP she had visited the pub before, and that we are known as a safe and comfortable place to drink in Croydon.”
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It sounds that this thoughtful Green Dragon redevelopment will cater for a range of live music and games.
What? Could this really be the beginning of a cultural sea-change, moving away from the traditional Croydon scene of cattle-market night clubs where people get very pissed, fight, get injured, and puke up on the pavements of our dear Town centre at 2 and 3 in the morning?.
(and of course adds an unnecessary burden on A and E)
If so—– bring it on !!!