Help me make Croydon great again, says Boris

About 200 Croydon businesses suffered direct damage from vandalism, looting and fire.
The Mayor today announced a major regeneration drive in the borough and urged investors to "help me make Croydon great again".

The money comes from the Mayor's £70 million Regeneration Fund, which was set up to help repair the damage caused to high streets and town centres in the riots. The Treasury provided £20 million for the fund and the rest comes from City Hall.

The money will be used to improve Croydon's town centre and £5 million is being set aside to attract businesses with a three-year support package.

Mr Johnson said today: "Croydon is ripe for investment and the devastation is a reminder of the urgency of investing serious sums into this potential economic powerhouse.

"South London is critical for the capital's long-term economic success and prosperity. Its people deserve to live in attractive surroundings and the rest of London needs the jobs, opportunities and economic growth that Croydon has so often created throughout its history."
Westfield has announced it is planning to open a huge 1.5 million sq ft shopping centre in Croydon that would be the biggest in south London.

Croydon council leader Mike Fisher added: "Croydon is committed to investing in major regeneration. The funding from the Mayor of London will help us realise many of our ambitions.
"Coming so soon after the Westfield announcement this shows there is a real buzz about Croydon right now."

The regeneration fund will also be used to back projects in 13 other boroughs across the capital that were hit by the summer disorder. A huge financial package is expected to be announced for Tottenham in the new year. The announcement had been delayed while Tottenham football club decided whether it was staying in north London.
Up to 10,000 businesses across London suffered in the riots. Small firms were among the worst hit, losing tens of millions of pounds.

What the traders say

Graham Reeves, 52, whose furniture shop was razed: "We need to see more police here so that people can feel safe on the streets."

Nicola Cantley, 38, health food shop owner: "I'd like to see some trees, more street lights, flowerbeds - things that would make it more pleasant."

Jack D'Gama, 21, shop worker: "There's nothing for young people to do around here, we need a scheme to help the young and unemployed."