Croydon Council has received the largest government grant in London from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), totalling £1,433,340. The funding will support projects to boost skills, strengthen local businesses and improve community spaces across the borough.
The investment will deliver new opportunities for residents, from business support and training to improvements in district centres and parks, alongside cultural events and festivals to bring communities together.
This next phase of UKSPF investment builds on successful projects from the previous round, including the creation of Colliers Water Garden in Thornton Heath. The upcoming programme will see improvements in Norbury, Addiscombe, South Croydon and Coulsdon.
As one of London’s greenest boroughs, with 127 parks and open spaces, Croydon will also see the launch of a Mayor’s Parks Fund to support resident-led projects with Friends groups, alongside the installation of new outdoor gyms in five parks to promote free leisure facilities.
The funding will provide tailored 1-2-1 business support, workshops and specialist help for female entrepreneurs, as well as initiatives to help voluntary organisations grow their networks and secure resources. Vulnerable young people who are not in education or work will benefit from new opportunities, while aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18–35 can continue to access support through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, launched in 2023.
Building on Croydon’s legacy as London Borough of Culture 2023, Culture Croydon will deliver a programme of events with local artists and performers, including celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Croydon-born composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and creative health projects to improve wellbeing.
“Earlier this year I published my Growth Plan – a bold new strategy to drive regeneration, attract investment and deliver exciting developments across the borough. This £1.4m of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding will help to deliver on this. We will give local entrepreneurs the tools and support needed to launch and grow their businesses here in Croydon.
Furthermore, we will make improvements to district centres and green spaces led by what our residents want to see, and bring communities together and restore pride in our diverse borough through our exciting Culture Croydon programme. There is a whole host of projects ahead of us in the coming year, and I look forward to working together with voluntary groups and community organisations as we bring this forward.”
– Jason Perry, Conservative Mayor of Croydon
