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☀️ Good morning, Croydon!
Saturday is here and the borough is buzzing. This week Croydon showed exactly what it's made of -- residents fighting for their local pub, a new Mayor rolling up his sleeves, and a brilliant local business flying the flag for Purley. Let's get into it.
☀️ MORNING PULSE
Kenley Hotel -- The Community Fights Back
The historic Kenley Hotel has been boarded up since August last year -- but Kenley's 14,000+ residents aren't having it. Community group KENDRA is pushing to have it designated as an Asset of Community Value, which would give locals a six-week window to buy it if it ever goes up for sale. The vision? A multi-generational community hub right in the heart of Kenley. This is grassroots Croydon doing what it does best.
Source: MyLondon
Mayor Perry's Second Term -- A Hung Council and High Stakes
Re-elected and back in the chair, Mayor Perry faces a genuinely historic council -- Labour 30, Conservatives 29, Greens 7, Lib Dems 2, Reform 2. No overall control. His focus: financial stability and restoring borough pride. The most politically diverse Croydon Council ever. Interesting times ahead.
💛 HEARTBEAT
Arts Are Good for You -- Fairfield Halls Makes the Case
It's Mental Health Awareness Week (11--17 May) and Fairfield Halls is championing something simple but powerful -- going to a show is genuinely good for your mental health. WHO research backs it up: regular cultural engagement reduces stress and long-term risk of depression. Live music, theatre, comedy, dance -- Croydon has one of London's best venues on its doorstep. Book something this weekend.
Source: Fairfield Halls
COMMUNITY CORNER
East Croydon Cool -- Raving Reporters Recruiting -- the community content creator programme is open for a new intake. Follow @eastcroydoncool to apply. They've just hit 20,000 followers -- Croydon's creative scene is thriving.
Croydon Regeneration -- Your Voice Matters -- the conversation about Westfield/Whitgift, safer streets, and empty shops is getting louder. What do YOU want to see in central Croydon?
Dementia Awareness in Addiscombe -- Peony Court care home (58 Addiscombe Road) hosted a free community dementia awareness session this week, delivered by the Bromley Dementia Friends group.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT -- BROADWAY SECURETECH LTD
Need rock-solid IT support or want to seriously upgrade your business security? Broadway SecureTech on Purley Road has you covered -- managed IT support, website design, network & WiFi infrastructure, plus advanced CCTV, alarms, and access control systems.
3 Purley Road, Purley CR8 2HA | broadwaysecuretech.co.uk | 020 8668 3228 | @broadwaypurley on Instagram
Want your business featured here? Get in touch at www.croydonlocalpulse.co.uk
💡 Did You Know?
Croydon Airport -- opened in 1920 -- was the world's first international airport. Before Heathrow even existed, Croydon was where the world took off. Literally.
PULSE POINTS
Fairfield Halls -- Mental Health Awareness Week events running all weekend. Full programme at fairfield.co.uk
Kenley Hotel ACV campaign -- follow KENDRA's updates
East Croydon Cool -- 20,000 followers and a new Raving Reporters intake
👋 OUTRO
That's your Saturday Pulse. Get out there and enjoy everything Croydon has to offer this weekend -- from Fairfield Halls to your local high street. Every time you shop local, eat local, or share this newsletter, you're part of something special.
Got an event to share? Submit it here
If you've got a story, a hidden gem, or a local business worth shouting about -- reply to this email. We read every one.
See you Monday. Have a great weekend, Croydon!
