Looking to recruit Book reviewers at a recent Society event, I mentioned this book was available “Ah but I’ve never been to Croydon” came the reply from this denizen of the Deep Home Counties North. “Although maybe that’s why I should read the book?”
Growing up in the 70s in neighbouring Beckenham, this pleasure of discovery is barred to me. The pull of this “Mini Manhattan” had always exerted a greater force on me than Bromley the staid market town of my own borough. Living just off Croydon Road, Penge there really was just one destination.
As a newcomer (since 2022) Will Noble – editor of the Londonist website – has voraciously gobbled up the history and the elements that go to make the Croydon of today and I similarly lapped it up as soon as I received it.
From its origins as a “pitstop” for five Archbishops journeying from Canterbury to Lambeth, through its post war Modernist development, to its ubiquity as a cipher for a certain type of 21st century living, he details the rise and fall of this most urban of suburbs.
Taking in its role in pioneering aviation, shopping as a leisure pursuit, it’s 130 parks and green spaces, it’s chance to become a regency spa, music (inevitably), politics, architecture, theatre and so much more in 257 pages, there’s not much that has evaded Will’s roving eye. I learned a lot, being particularly taken with the stories of a missed opportunity to be the world centre of toy making and an Archbishop’s part in a famous ghost story.
Croydon has always been ahead of the curve and unfortunately the corollary of this is that it reached decline that much sooner. Grand but now cancelled designs for a new Westfield shopping centre – A Whitgift fit for the 21st Century – coincided with the financial crash, Covid and the rise of internet shopping but not before an old precinct had been demolished leaving a gaping hole that remains to this day.
The last 25 years would probably make a hefty tome on its own and while not omitting the “challenges” of its recent past, Will does a fine job in detailing these without getting bogged down in all the twists and turns of its political life.
It’s telling that the Cronx Brewery, one of his success stories of green roots recovery when writing this in 2023 – was liquidated in January this year. Although a new version is rising phoenix-like in a very Croydonian style of renewal. And so Croydon moves on.
With its own integrated transport system, its grand schemes, its “suburbs”, its all conquering football teams (allow me some bias), its population predicted to bulge in the next decade, and yes, its troubles and scandals, it is certainly a microcosm of that distant Oz called London that Will can see in the background of his final reverie from the viewing platform at Addington Hills.
For as he concludes: “wherever else you are, don’t look down on Croydon – you’re living in one.”
Will has written an enthralling book. Both for those who “get Croydon” and those who would like to know more about this near neighbour of London. A city indeed in all but name.
