Author Archives: insidecroydon

About insidecroydon

News, views and analysis about the people of Croydon, their lives and political times in the diverse and most-populated borough in London. Based in Croydon and edited by Steven Downes. To contact us, please email inside.croydon@btinternet.com

Croydon put in special measures: ‘Worst of all possible worlds’

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Announcements from Westminster and Whitehall today put the borough under the control of unelected bureaucrats who are answerable only to a Tory Government minister – in a scheme that the Mayor has helped plot for months. By … Continue reading

Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Report in the Public Interest, RIPI II: Fairfield Halls, Section 114 notice, The Penn Report | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

‘Precautionary measure given the historic issues uncovered’

CROYDON IN CRISIS: At 12.15pm this afternoon, the council’s internal communications department issued the following statement to all staff, under the title, “Message from Executive Mayor Jason Perry and Chief Executive, Katherine Kerswell”. This is that statement in full: Dear … Continue reading

Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Report in the Public Interest, RIPI II: Fairfield Halls, Section 114 notice, The Penn Report | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Two years too late, Tory Government intervenes over council

CROYDON IN CRISIS: A Parliamentary written statement today effectively admitted defeat over the council’s bail-outs and ordered a Whitehall takeover of the council ahead of a possible £540m debt write-off Lee Rowley, the Tories’ local government minister, announced today an … Continue reading

Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Report in the Public Interest, RIPI II: Fairfield Halls, Section 114 notice, The Penn Report | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thornton Heath blaze was sparked by water says Brigade

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a house fire on St Stephens Crescent in Thornton Heath on Tuesday. Most of the roof and half of the first floor of an end-of-terrace house was damaged by fire. There were … Continue reading

Posted in London Fire Brigade, Thornton Heath | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Budget that subsidises profiteers and bungs £1bn to wealthy

ANDREW FISHER looks at what Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Statement means for the long-suffering people of Croydon. Plus: how to call-out a Tory MP’s lies, live on BBC television There is an old saying in the House of Commons. It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Council Tax, Mayor Jason Perry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Croydon Assembly presents The Big Lie, Ruskin House, Mar 31

Posted in Cinema, Community associations, Ruskin House | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Restructuring’ has housing workers facing £3,000 pay cut

Our Town Hall reporter, KEN LEE, on the latest shocking cost-cutting measures being imposed on council staff Croydon Council could be heading for a series of strikes later this year, after senior managers at Fisher’s Folly moved to cut some … Continue reading

Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, Fly tipping, Housing, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry, Susmita Sen | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Mind the digital gap: survey finds 1.5m Londoners ‘left behind’

Tube strikes notwithstanding, transport watchdog London TravelWatch has today published a report that shows 1.5million people in the capital are unable to buy a bus, Tube or tram ticket because they can’t use or don’t have access to a smartphone … Continue reading

Posted in Commuting, TfL, Tramlink, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trinity roar their way into second Twickenham cup final

A Croydon school features in the showpiece finale to the rugby season for the fourth time in succession, with their three England call-ups bidding to retain the RFU Schools Cup. Semi-final photos by LEO WILKINSON Trinity are back in Twickenham … Continue reading

Posted in Elliot Daly, Lawrence Okoye, Rugby Union, Schools, Sport, Trinity School, Whitgift School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Occasional Voices concert, Christ Church Addiscombe, Mar 18

Posted in Addiscombe West, Art, Church and religions, Music | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Machinal by Theatre Workshop Coulsdon, Mar 25-Apr 1

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Permit problems see Crystal Palace school street dropped

The council has been forced to abandon one of the school street traffic restrictions which were due to come into force yesterday, following complaints from residents in Crystal Palace that Croydon’s online permit applications system contains significant flaws. It was … Continue reading

Posted in Claire Bonham, Croydon Council, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Harris Academy Crystal Palace, Schools, Steve Iles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sampling some good Vybz from Selsdon’s Jamaican restaurant

A start-up business was recommended by their local councillor to seek some promotional publicity from Inside Croydon. KEN TOWL tried the food at Yaad Vybz and got a 5% off offer for this website’s readers Councillor Joseph Lee may have … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Lee, Ken Towl, Restaurants, Selsdon and Addington Village | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Community Kitchen fund-raising quiz, Jolly Sailor, Mar 26

Posted in Activities, Charity, Community associations, Pubs, South Norwood, South Norwood Community Kitchen, South Norwood Tourist Board | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Free cyanotypes photographic workshop, Turf Projects, Mar 25

Posted in Art, Turf Projects, Whitgift Centre | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Culture vultures: win tickets for next big Fairfield Halls concert

Inside Croydon is delighted to be able to offer a pair of tickets for the Swedish Philharmonia concert at the Fairfield Halls on March 27, in our latest exclusive competition for the site’s patrons. The Swedish Philharmonia is returning to … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Fairfield Halls, Inside Croydon, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Labour figures busy playing a game of selection musical seats

Our political editor, WALTER CRONXITE, on the latest moves by the borough’s Blairites and how the numptiest of Newman’s numpties is abusing the selection system One of the Labour councillors who last week betrayed residents by abandoning their opposition to … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Croydon North, Manju Shahul Hameed, Steve Reed MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Scrumbles pet food hits the big time with £6m investment

A natural pet food brand, established by a couple from Addiscombe, has today announced that it is receiving a £6million investment to help the company grow. Scrumbles was founded in 2018 by Aneisha Soobroyen and her husband Jack Walker, after … Continue reading

Posted in Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Business | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Local Community Partnership meeting, Selhurst, Mar 30

Posted in Community associations, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, CVA, Selhurst, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Local Birds illustrated talk, Honeywood Museum, Mar 23

Posted in Activities, Community associations, Honeywood Museum, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Banker from Waddon who helped finance independent America

SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT: One memorial in Croydon Minster’s churchyard dates back to the early 19th Century, and is for a man who knew Alexander Hamilton and had connections with George Washington. By DAVID MORGAN Another grave in the grounds of Croydon … Continue reading

Posted in Croydon Minster, David Morgan, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Book and Cake Sale, St Peter’s, South Croydon, Mar 18

Posted in Activities, Charity, Church and religions, Community associations, South Croydon | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Allowing 15% hike is ‘protecting Council Tax payers’ says Gove

Inside Croydon’s petition to Parliament against the decision to allow councils, including Croydon, to increase Council Tax above the 5per cent cap without first conducting a referendum – as is usually required by law – achieved the 10,000-signature threshold on … Continue reading

Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, Mayor Jason Perry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Original clockmakers are hired for Thornton Heath restoration

Six months after an attack by vandals set fire to Thornton Heath’s landmark clocktower, the council has begun work to restore it to its former glory – remarkably, using the same  firm which had made the original clock more than … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Croydon Council, History, Thornton Heath | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Business bonus: retail giant Ikea gets £1.5m rateable value cut

CROYDON IN CRISIS: As the borough’s residents brace themselves for Mayor Perry’s 15% Council Tax hike, one of the biggest businesses on the Purley Way looks to be about to see their bills slashed. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES Croydon’s residents … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Coulsdon, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Ikea, Mario Creatura, Mayor Jason Perry, Property, Purley Way, Valley Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments