Fiveways isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a bottleneck that wastes time, delays buses and leaves pedestrians and cyclists with poor provision. Croydon needs a junction that makes journeys safer and more reliable—we don't need another decade of avoidable delays. Unless you highlight and demonstrate the problem the good minds that can solve it won't get to engage. I think this is the most difficult junction in the town yet there is zero attention on it and instead we have a Mayor and who is focusing on 20mph on side streets as if that were some beastly economic disadvantage.

I just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this or can offer some advice!

I got sent a letter asking for £2700 for council tax from debt collectors in April, and I just panicked and paid the bill. I moved into the area in December ‘24 and had never paid council tax before as I’m a recent grad. I then looked through my bank statements and at council tax receipts and I’d paid everything I was supposed to, and now there’s an ongoing argument about whether or not I get any money back with the guy on the phone saying one thing and someone over email saying something else.

Eventually one of the blokes said “no, we owe you money” and the other said “you owe £197 for the rest of the year”, so I just paid the £197 and thought maybe I get it back, maybe I don’t, I just want it done now. I also did make payments after paying the big fat bill.

But I’ve just had ANOTHER letter from the debt collectors saying I owe a further £1100. I find it so insanely hard to get hold of the council, I’ve not heard from them in the two months since my last email, and I don’t know what’s going on. I feel so anxious and sick and the whole thing is just totally bizarre. I’ve paid thousands and thousands of pounds over the last (not even) 2 years, PLUS they took my single person discount away for 6 months of me living alone.

Has anyone gone through something similar?

Anyone know where I can find free/affordable parking in or around central Croydon? I live in central Croydon so ideally would like somewhere I can park that’s about a max 20 min walk from Surrey street area. I’m aware that Whitgift does monthly parking for £100 but that’s a bit on the pricier side, as are the other driveways people are renting out in the local area. Any suggestions would be helpful!

Just spotted that (according to Google) Image Framing in the Whitgift Centre has permanently closed down... Such a shame - although I guess not entirely surprising as they already suffered poor passing trade and have no doubt been ungraciously shoved out... I had hoped they'd move to Centrale but I'm guessing they've just given up....

Assuming they haven't just moved elsewhere, does anyone have a recommendation for a good framing shop in Croydon now? :(

Hello all!

I’m trying to research new builds Near East Croydon Station to rent.

Are they any that you recommend or strong encourage me to avoid?

Ten degrees seems like the best of the bunch, but I saw a post here about mould? But that could have been an isolated incident.

I saw good comments about The Blossoms but also a really bad one.

Not considering Altura50/Enclave.

Are there any other high rise new builds within 5 mins walk from East Croydon station that is actually nice to live in? (Ideally only looking for build to rent developments as they will have a larger volume of available flats for my move in date)

What's your reckon? Is it worth it or not for a good breakfast?

Tram stop was ok & decently priced. Anna's is extortionate, but nice. Dirty Crunch isn't breakfasty. I dont rate Ladies cafe and haven't tried Top Star.

Hi everyone,
I’m considering renting a flat in the Morello building in Croydon and would love to hear from people who currently live there or have lived there in the past.
I’m particularly interested in the experience of living there as a tenant, rather than buying a flat.
A few things I’d love to know:
Noise: Are the flats well insulated, or can you hear neighbours and outside traffic?
Building management: Are communal areas, lifts and rubbish facilities well maintained?
Heating and bills: Are the flats expensive to heat? What are the typical monthly utility costs?
Security: Do you feel safe in the building and the surrounding area, including in the evenings?
Maintenance: Is the management responsive when things go wrong?
Internet and mobile signal: Are there any issues with broadband or phone reception?
Overall value: Do you think the rent is reasonable for what you get?
Any downsides: Are there any recurring problems or things you wish you’d known before moving in?
I’d also be interested in hearing about the general atmosphere in the building and whether you’d recommend it for someone looking for a comfortable long-term rental.
I know experiences can vary from flat to flat, so any honest feedback would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Grew up in Croydon and moved away a while back, and my brother and I were reminiscing about the absolute scenes we used to witness. Mine were pretty depressing tbh, but my brother had some good stories from the Black Sheep 😂

What’s yours? Funny, weird, or just “only in Croydon”. Old ones from the 90s and 2000s very welcome.

Looking to find Irish groups to take my kids to in the Croydon area?

Theres an Irish centre in Lewisham that does a stay & play - so this is kind of what I mean. I know there's Croydon Irish centre in Selsdon, but its hard to tell whether their active or not.

Any ideas?

Does anyone know what's going on opposite Ruskin house? Theres 2-3 fire engines and the road is taped off.

It is not always so much about the ride as where it takes you. Wettern Tree Gardens in Sanderstead has been a favourite quiet spot at the end of a ride - close to home and with shade and colour

The purpose built library across the street from Norwood Junction station, has been empty for years, but all of a sudden I have seen some workmen doing work inside - think they are putting up internal walls. Does anyone know what it will be? Hopefully it will be put to some use, which will benefit the community.

Go easy on the Ombre Nomade. Less really is more…🙏

Hello!

I'm working on a film project for a BAFTA-winning company, which is all about making short portraits about dog owners in London.

The idea is to celebrate what their dog means to them and how these relationships can be very meaningful and important!

If you're interested in hearing more please drop me a message or comment below.

We will be moving to Croydon early next year and need to start renovations on a terraced Victorian home. Does anyone have any recommendations for remodeling companies? Or even stores that provide kitchen remodeling, floors, carpet? Has anyone used IKEA and their designers? Thanks!

I know it's been mentioned on here before but thought would be good to remind people that the URW (Westfield)consultation is open:

https://thecroydonproject.co.uk/survey/
(I believe this is the correct link, but please say if incorrect)

If you'd like to see URW create a space for community, leisure areas, recreation centre, cinema, youth club, communal spaces, arts spaces, etc. Rather than 8000 tiny new rental flats and a data centre please have your voice heard.

A scheme to improve the Fiveways road junction at Waddon was shelved over 8 years ago. It's one of the busiest intersections in the borough — also the main bottleneck for traffic to Gatwick, the Purley Way retail parks, and Croydon town centre. Back then 81% supported some scheme and for me as a cyclist, pedestrian and motorist it must merit a further look. What do you think?

Croydon council have absolutely taken the biscuit here. £800 on admin fees for this. Apparently will affect over 100,000 properties.

Surely there must be some recourse to push back on this. How can it cost them £800 per licence, for all things that were legal requirements for landlords anyway?

Not all landlords are wealthy, we don't even charge enough to cover the mortgage. And obviously we ensure the property is safe and nice for our tenants, as well as of course being in line with all regulations.

But why are Croydon charging this and no other council seems to be????

I'm hoping more people feel the same and we can do something to push back.

It has somehow been ten years since Boxpark first appeared next to East Croydon station, and they’re marking the occasion with a big free birthday event on Saturday 31 October.

During the afternoon there’ll be:

• A fancy dress competition with prizes
• Face painting, arts and crafts and a magician
• Keepy-uppy challenges and other FanPark games
• Live music covering hits from the past decade
• Resident DJs
• Plenty of food, obviously
• Free drinks! (One per person, up to 1,000, while stocks last, given out from 3pm, usual age restrictions apply).

Then at 5.30pm, they’ll be showing Tottenham v Crystal Palace live on the big screens.

The event runs from 11am until 11pm and is family-friendly during the day. It’s free, although you’ll want to register in advance.

Full details and free tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-feastival-boxpark-croydon-10th-anniversary-tickets-2002724969295

So I’m Croydon born and bred, but I left home for Uni at 18 and didn’t ever return back (that was 2001). I still visit my mum once a year, but we don’t venture out much, and see family / friends mainly.

What’s Croydon like nowadays? I have nostalgic memories of working in The Litten Tree as a barman, going to The Ship for bevvies and then on to The Black Sheep bar for nights out. I used to go out to the Blue Orchid on a school night for cheap drinks and to dance - but my brother says none of these are about anymore.

So - what’s Croydon like for you lot in 2026? I keep seeing the Boxpark on tv when the footy is on (which makes me smile) but I’ve never been, and I’ve no idea where else you go for a decent night out.

I accidentally ran to Windsor!

Join me as I pace the Peep Show Marathon 2026, hosted by Dobby Club.

What an absolutely incredible event, full of great fancy dress, memes, and happy vibes!

I strongly recommend this, I met so many friendly people! A great marathon if this is your first one and you want to do one a little more casual, and they even give you a bonus mile!

Went and checked out a flat recently at Ten Degrees. I'm highly allergic to black mould and found mould all over the shower. So glad I went and checked it out and spared myself a lot of money and illness! I hope this helps someone else considering this flat building who might get as ill from black mould as I do.