Kake’s tour of London Road moves on to the kebab shop at number 17, which was previously a grocer, bookseller, fishmonger, and TV rental shop.

17 London Road is the home of the Croydon Kebab Centre. This informatively-named shop is one of the longer-standing businesses on this part of London Road; it’s been a purveyor of grilled meats since at least the mid-1970s, under the current name since the … Read More »

Anne Giles continues her crusade to show us that things weren’t necessarily better in the old days. This time, she takes us through the ever-improving array of restaurants in Croydon

Unlike its shops and public transport, Croydon’s restaurants have always been good. But it’s my experience that they’ve got better and better over the years. My memories of dining out in … Read More »

Self-made event director Christo Matthews takes us on a personal journey from his humble beginnings as a #Croydon twittersphere initiate to the overseer of next weekend’s Great Croydon Bake Off

My relationship with Croydon turned from casual to long-term about two years ago, when I discovered Croydon’s tumultuous micro-climate in the Twittersphere. It’s at this point that I start my story, as it’s the one event which has led … Read More »

Kake’s tour of London Road moves from the Victorian architecture of the west side of the road to 1930s concrete at number 10.

The breezeblock building of West Croydon Station’s London Road entrance also houses a branch of Greggs, the UK-wide bakery and pasty-seller. I suspect most of their custom comes from people passing through the station, helped by the fact that the shop has a second entrance leading … Read More »

Christo Matthews stokes the national passion for baking and uncovers four of Croydon’s master chefs. Rob Mayo is on hand to witness the birth of the Great Croydon Bake Off

After the pleasant surprise of the Cherry Orchards Arts Festival last year (my first journalistic mission in Croydon), I was pleased to hear that the organiser, Christo Matthews, was planning a series of … Read More »

Kake’s tour of London Road moves on to the Ship of Fools pub at numbers 9–11.

The weary traveller who exits West Croydon Station in search of sustenance on London Road need look no further than the Ship of Fools. Almost directly opposite the station, this Wetherspoon’s pub is large and welcoming, with friendly staff, interesting real ales, and well-priced food.

The Ship of Fools, February 2012. Photo © Liz Tuffey, … Read More »

Kake’s tour of London Road moves on to number 7, at which she discovers she has something in common with the current occupant.

KFC, 7 London Road, June 2012.

7 London Road is currently a branch of KFC, the fried chicken chain so beloved of our own Jonny Rose (founder of Croydon Tech City, doyen of the Purley Breakfast Club, and of course Croydon Citizen author). Asked to provide an … Read More »

In her second piece, Liz Sheppard-Jones introduced us to the personalities that trade on Surrey Street, as well as sampling some of what they had to offer. This final piece in the series explores the growth of street food around Surrey Street, and what the future has in store for it

Heat on the street – why here, why now?

Fiona Woodcock, Surrey Street redoubtable … Read More »

In her first piece, Liz Sheppard-Jones introduced us to the rich history of Surrey Street Market, and examined evolution and importance of the street in Croydon Old Town. In this second in a three-part series, she introduces us to the market traders themselves, as well as sampling what Croydon’s Old Town has to offer in Street Food

Fresh and dedicated – the street food traders’ stories

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In this first in a three-part series, Liz Sheppard-Jones gives us an introduction to the Surrey Street market, its history and importance, and what place it has in an increasingly food-obsessed Croydon

How Surrey Street cooked up a storm

Foodie-dom arrived in London in the late 1980s.  These were the heady days of the sundried tomato uprising and it’s startling to realise just how radical … Read More »