Sunday Times Property Section 12/06. Headline: Going Places. Croydon. After decades of derision the south London suburb is having a facelift and is becoming a well-connected hi-tech hub. The article says, among other things, "Whisper it, but there's something cool about Croydon" .... words I never thought I would hear. And "There's been an influx of people priced out of newly fashionable Crystal Palace and South Norwood". Amazing! How about this: "There's plenty of culture too. Fairfield Halls is closing next month for a two-year refurb, but the David Lean Cinema shows art-house films and there's all sorts going on at Matthews Yard". Obviously we've been wrong all these years and Croydon is actually a really lovely town!
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NSC's favourite town gets a positive write-up
- Thread starter goldstone
- Start date
What is Matthews Yard? A bit like Steptoes?
Grombleton
Surrounded by <div>s
- Dec 31, 2011
- 7,356
In other words, they no longer have dial-up.
- Thread starter
- #4
I have no idea, but a relative of Steptoe would fit.
oneillco
Well-known member
- Feb 13, 2013
- 1,322
When Southern Rail were having of one their regular meltdowns last week I got a train as far as East Croydon but then was stuck with thousands of other commuters. So I decided to have a wander until the chaos calmed down. Here is my report from the Croydon front line:
Pubs; only saw one "proper" pub and that was a big Wetherspoons fake.
People; sullen and miserable looking. Several big groups of bored youth hanging about
Shops: once famous for shopping it now looks like London Road. Lots of Pound Shop type stores and phone unlockers, and even the once proud Alders is discount outlet.
Architecture: low quality office buildings sprouting everywhere amongst the depressing 1970/80s monstrosities
Food: only fast and chain in evidence
Football: in 45 mins wandering about I never saw any evidence of Palace affiliation.
Atmosphere: quite a menacing feeling about the place for 7:30 in the evening, just the aforementioned "yoof" hanging about.
In a word - grim.
Superphil
Dismember
hart's shirt
Well-known member
NSC's favourite town - a positive write-off
happypig
Staring at the rude boys
I thik I've only been there once, for a training day in the 90's. It was about a quarter of a mile from the station to the telephone exchange but one of the roads was closed by the police and a helpful officer, when asked an alternative route, told us "I dunno, I ain't a cabbie".
When we got the place the bloke running the show said there had been an armed robbery and, I quote, "Happens all the time round here, f..king sh.thole. God knows why we're doing it here."
The women in the canteen were miserable too (although, to be fair, Sybil in the canteen at Withdean was a right old witch too).
When we got the place the bloke running the show said there had been an armed robbery and, I quote, "Happens all the time round here, f..king sh.thole. God knows why we're doing it here."
The women in the canteen were miserable too (although, to be fair, Sybil in the canteen at Withdean was a right old witch too).
I've worked in Thornton Heath for nearly 10 years. A lot of money has gone in to the town around West Croydon down the London Road towards Thornton Heath, lots of new apartments have gone up too. Wouldn't go as far as saying it's 'cool' it's just been smartened up quite a bit in one or two of the most run down parts of town.
Never seen a 'pikey' or a caravan either, never quite understand that stereotype.
Never seen a 'pikey' or a caravan either, never quite understand that stereotype.
The Albion Roar
97.2FM
Visiting family in Sydenham, I sometimes have to drive through Croydon.
The main road (A232?) with the underpass is always (in my experience) a fairly clear, well traffic-managed road, meaning I can go straight through, with few bits of congestion in very little time. It's the best thing about Croydon.
The main road (A232?) with the underpass is always (in my experience) a fairly clear, well traffic-managed road, meaning I can go straight through, with few bits of congestion in very little time. It's the best thing about Croydon.
Se20
Banned
- Oct 3, 2012
- 3,981
Some of you need to get out the Brighton Bubble, and get a bit more "urban"
Croydon is getting a much needed facelift ( no cladding jokes please ) and millions are being invested .
The Westfield development will bring in thousands each day, even some of you lot might be brave enough to venture north to the mean streets of Croydon.
Btw , Matthews Yard is very nice, and not a bit of horseshit to be seen.
Croydon is getting a much needed facelift ( no cladding jokes please ) and millions are being invested .
The Westfield development will bring in thousands each day, even some of you lot might be brave enough to venture north to the mean streets of Croydon.
Btw , Matthews Yard is very nice, and not a bit of horseshit to be seen.
AmexRuislip
Retired Spy 🕵️♂️
grubbyhands
Well-known member
Or ( with 6 pairs of rubber gloves on ) rolling it in glitter.
father_and_son
Well-known member
Clearly, if you burn your own town down then there is the chance for some regeneration.
Most people will never see Croydon as cool but good to see a run down place getting some money put into it. There's quite a few important business's operating out of Croydon so no reason it can't be regenerated to a good standard.
father_and_son
Well-known member
Think you'll find that is something akin to maybe a Bomb Shelter or a Women's Refuge... it's a small, hermetically sealed, fire proof box with bullet proof glass. Visitors are allowed to run in screaming and demand "Sanctuary!"