High Streets for All

Croydon Town Centre's main pedestrianised zone is called North End and has taken a downturn in its fortunes from recession austerity in 2008, Brexit and a current pandemic to contend with. The loss of big department stores like Allders in 2012 and Debenhams in 2020 have left many buildings looming large and abandoned. Like many high streets, North End, once a prominent destination for people, has now become somewhat of an afterthought when up against online shopping. Walking through the pedestrian precinct, the gloom of the weather does not really aid the bleakness of closed shops.

Is there any way in which this very long pedestrian walkway can be greener? The current tree planting is certainly not thriving, so perhaps turn it into more of a garden along the central section and take away the old and dirty beige paving that dominates the area looking worn and tired. Croydon was hailed as the second unhappiest place to live and looking at it, didn’t inspire me to think differently. An appreciation of the outdoors has definitely been underlined during lockdown, so why not make high streets greener, especially over such a large, long area of central Croydon? The shopping experience is changing so why not make it something greener, wilder and healthier for all? From pedestrian precinct to pedestrian garden.