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🌞Weather
Today's weather in Croydon will be on the cooler side, starting off mostly cloudy this morning with temperatures currently sitting at 9°C and 81% humidity. As the day progresses, these early clouds are expected to break up and give way to sunshine. Winds are remaining fairly gentle at around 9 mph from the north-northeast, making it a pleasant but fresh spring day once the sun breaks through.
Nine days to go. The election clock is ticking, the candidates are knocking on doors, and Croydon is very much the centre of the national conversation. Here's what you need to know today.
💓MORNING PULSE
1.TODAY: Last Chance to Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate
If you don't have photo ID and haven't sorted your Voter Authority Certificate yet — today is your final chance. The deadline is Tuesday 28 April at 5pm. Without it, you won't be able to vote on 7 May. Don't leave it. Apply now at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.
→ Your Croydon on X
2. £20 Million Coming to Croydon Neighbourhoods
A reminder for anyone who missed it — Croydon has secured £20m in government "Pride in Place" funding targeting West Thornton, Selhurst, Broad Green, and Bensham Manor. Real, visible investment in some of the borough's most underserved communities.
→ Croydon Council Newsroom
3. Croydon Means Business. Grants & Support for Local Entrepreneurs
The council's new business support initiative is open offering grants, rates relief, and dedicated help for anyone running or starting a business in the borough. Worth a look if you're building something local.
→ Croydon Council Newsroom
💚 HEARTBEAT. The Human Story.
Whistlejacket and the Lost Croydon Races — Tonight at the Town Hall
Before Epsom, before Ascot — there was Croydon. Few people know that Croydon once had its own famous racecourse, and that one of the most celebrated racehorses in British history, Whistlejacket (immortalised in George Stubbs' iconic 1762 painting), had a connection to the area.
Tonight, art historian Melissa Baksh delivers a fascinating lecture — Whistlejacket and the Croydon Races — exploring this forgotten chapter of the borough's history.
📍The Mayor's Parlour, Croydon Town Hall
🕰️ 6:15pm – 7:30pm, Tuesday 28 April
Free to attend
It's the kind of local history that makes you see Croydon completely differently. Worth an evening of your time.
💎 Tuesday Theme — Local History & Heritage
Croydon has more history than it gets credit for. Today we're shining a light on the borough's past.
This week's heritage highlights:
Whistlejacket lecture tonight— Croydon's forgotten racing history, Town Hall, 6:15pm (see Heartbeat above)
Creative Writing: Fiction from Life— workshop with Karen McLeod, 7:30pm tonight. A great one for aspiring local writers
South Croydon Action Day— community engagement event happening today across South Croydon
Croydonist 10th Anniversary Exhibition— opens 5 May at Click Clock Art Gallery, Clocktower Café. Free, runs until 29 May →Croydon BID
🪿 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: GRUMPY GOOSE CAFÉ
4 Dingwall Road, East Croydon
Croydon's most characterful new café just levelled up. Grumpy Goose — already a firm favourite in Coulsdon opened its East Croydon doors back in March and hasn't looked back. Proper food, brilliant coffee, fresh local produce, and a brand personality that makes you smile before you've even ordered.
They've just updated to 7-days-a-week, all-day food service for spring so whether you're grabbing a pre-commute flat white or a lazy Tuesday brunch, they've got you covered.
"Your local flock point for damn good food and great company."
› grumpygoosecafe.com | 4 Dingwall Road, East Croydon
⚡ PULSE POINTS
9 days to election day — Mayor of Croydon + 70 council seats up for grabs on 7 May. Eight candidates on the mayoral ballot
New rental licensing from September — two new private sector property licensing schemes launching across the borough → Council Newsroom
£17.5m highways investment — roads, footways, bridges and flood management across Croydon in 2026/27 → Council Newsroom
Croydon Symphonic Band at Fairfield Halls — tickets on sale now for their 53rd annual summer concert → Fairfield Halls
🧠 ONLY IN CROYDON
Did You Know. Only in Croydon
Croydon once had one of the most prestigious horse racing venues in England. The Croydon Racecourse operated from the 17th century until 1890, when it closed to make way for housing development. At its peak it attracted royalty and aristocracy and horses that would go on to become legends. Tonight's lecture at the Town Hall brings this forgotten story back to life.
📊This Week's Poll
How are you feeling about the Croydon Mayoral Election on 7 May?
🔥Excited — this one really matters
😐Indifferent — local politics doesn't affect me
😖Frustrated — none of the candidates inspire
🤷Still figuring out who to vote for
[Drop your answer in the comments!]
👋 OUTRO
That's your Tuesday Pulse, Croydon. Two urgent reminders before you do anything else today — Voter Authority Certificate and Proxy Vote applications both close at 5pm today. Don't miss the window.
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See you tomorrow.
Croydon Local Pulse
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