Develop Croydon kicked off the year with an energetic first half, marked by a series of significant events, including a round table on office space in the borough, the 25th Investor Tour, joining the Gatwick Diamond delegation at UKREiiF, and the launch of the 15th annual Develop Croydon Conference.

The not-for-profit Community Interest Company, born from the White Label Directors’ vision to support the regeneration and economic renewal of Croydon, is celebrating a milestone year with the 15th annual Develop Croydon Conference 

The 25th Develop Croydon Investor Tour began with breakfast, networking, and speeches at TBXH, Sunley House. Attendees went on an informative town centre walk that provided insights into new developments and potential investment opportunities, and the tour included a coach ride to the thriving industrial estates around Purley Way, exclusive stops at London Square – St Michael’s Court to view the new duplex penthouse show home, a pre-launch look at the Urban Room Croydon, and a visit to The John Whitgift Foundation’s Almshouses to see two otherwise inaccessible spaces. The tour concluded with lunch at Bart & Taylor’s Fern, sponsored by IO by HFCL.

The next Investor Tour is scheduled for 18 September. Interested parties can contact 📧: eepelle@wlcreative.org.uk.

Looking ahead, the Develop Croydon Conference, this year titled “Fresh Perspectives,” in partnership with Croydon Council, London Gatwick, URW, and Schroders, is scheduled for 26 November. Taking place at the iconic Fairfield Halls, the conference aims to unite investors, developers, policymakers, built environment consultants, and business leaders. The event will explore the latest developments in Croydon’s growth sectors and inspire insightful discussions led by a variety of national and international experts.

The conference promises engaging panels and keynotes that will delve into global trends and best practices. Topics will include the activation of areas connecting Croydon’s iconic buildings, attracting inward investment, commercial and industrial insights, housing, the growth of Croydon’s higher education sectors, sustainability, and the impact of public consultations held in recent months on future developments.

Bonnie Ross, Associate Director, Develop Croydon and White Label Creative, said: “Develop Croydon has had a fantastic start to the year, and we are thrilled with the momentum we have built. During our first 2024 partner meeting we took the opportunity to review the Forum’s aims and messaging. The exercise was met with true enthusiasm from partners and has given our activity this year a new lease of life as we celebrated our 25th investor tour and look toward the 15th annual conference. 

“We are excited to continue driving positive change and development in Croydon and looking forward to bringing key stakeholders together – with some exciting new content planned – at Fairfield in November.”

Tickets are now available at Develop Croydon Conference.

Another key event in the first half of 2024 was the Office Market Roundtable on 16 May, where Develop Croydon hosted a panel of experts to discuss the office market and its growth potential, further boosting Croydon’s reputation as a business hub.

Key topics included:

• The latest office market trends: ex. need for flexible spaces with shorter leases
• The growing role of specific sectors in Croydon: ex. universities
• The focus on individual workers’ wellbeing
• The impact of remote or hybrid work on the future of the office market
• ESG and sustainability
• Croydon’s wider role in helping to grow south London’s economy

Read the full report here.

Additionally, May saw the publication of Croydon News, launched on a national stage for the first time at UKREiiF. Develop Croydon, alongside Croydon Council and a delegation from the Gatwick Diamond Region, exhibited at the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, attracting over 10,000 investors, developers, occupiers, and local authorities.

Read Croydon News here.

As Develop Croydon continues to foster growth and innovation, the community eagerly anticipates the exciting developments that the rest of the year will bring. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in our journey to shape the future of Croydon.