The professionals pulling ahead aren't working more. They're using Claude.

Our free guide will show you how to:

Transform your workflow with AI and stay ahead of the curve with this comprehensive guide to using Claude at work.

Get The Free Guide

Issue #66 | Thursday, 25 June 2026

Morning Croydon! What a week it's been. After Monday's thunderstorms sent the tram network into chaos and the fire brigade answering 400 call-outs across south London, the sun's back out and the borough is bouncing back. We've got a brand new £40m town centre that's finally ready to show off, World Cup fever gripping BOXPARK all weekend, and one of the biggest wholesale openings Croydon's seen in years. Let's dive in.

🌩️ STORM RECOVERY: Monday's mega-storm saw the London Fire Brigade handle 400 call-outs as flash flooding hit Croydon hard. The tram line between Addiscombe and Beckenham Junction was shut for hours, and the River Wandle came perilously close to its banks near Beddington. Services are back to normal now, but it's a reminder of how vulnerable our borough can be when the heavens open. Read more at Inside Croydon.

🏗️ £40M TOWN CENTRE TRANSFORMATION: Croydon Council has officially completed the major phase of its £40m regeneration programme. Dingwall Road and George Street have had a full public realm makeover, safer crossings, wider pedestrian spaces, better outdoor dining areas, new greenery, and sustainable drainage to help prevent future flooding. It's all part of Mayor Perry's Town Centre Vision to make the walk from East Croydon station actually pleasant. Go take a stroll and see the difference. See the update at Croydon Council.

🛒 KCS CASH & CARRY LANDS IN CROYDON: A 30,000 sq ft wholesale giant has just opened its doors at Segro Park on Redhouse Road. KCS Cash & Carry stocks around 8,000 product lines with a huge emphasis on world foods and Afro-Caribbean specialities, plus a massive chilled and frozen section for local traders. They're creating 30 plus jobs and serving independent retailers, takeaways, and restaurants across the borough. This is a big deal for Croydon's food scene. Open 8am to 7pm daily. Read more at Wholesale Manager.

🎬 CRO-LLYWOOD IS OFFICIALLY A THING: Mayor Perry has launched a CRO-llywood Working Group to turn Croydon's film and TV success into real local jobs. After The Crown, Batman, and even Taylor Swift's Opalite video all filmed here, the plan is to build proper production infrastructure and training pipelines so local talent can work in the industry without leaving the borough. Watch this space. Get the details at Croydon Council.

🏏 FOUR NEW PLAYGROUNDS COMING: Milne Park, Courtwood Playground, Mayfield Road, and Rickman Hill are the first four sites getting brand new playgrounds as part of a 16 site, four year investment programme. Work starts in autumn, and residents will get to have their say on the designs. About time, right? Find out more at Croydon Council.

Help us help you: Local Review Boost partners with us to help Croydon businesses shine online. If your shop or service needs more 5 star reviews, they're the experts to call. Try it risk free today.

Forget what you think you know about wholesalers. KCS Cash & Carry's new Croydon depot at Segro Park is a game changer for the borough's independent retailers and food businesses.

This isn't your average cash and carry. Spanning a whopping 30,000 sq ft, it's packed with roughly 8,000 product lines, with a serious focus on world foods, Afro-Caribbean staples, global ingredients, and speciality items you won't find at the big supermarkets. The chilled and frozen section alone is enormous, designed specifically for the restaurants, takeaways, and caterers that make Croydon's food scene so vibrant.

But here's the thing, it's not just for businesses. If you run a community group, a school, or a local organisation, KCS is worth knowing about. They're open 8am to 7pm, run trade specials and tasting sessions, and have already created over 30 jobs for local people. This is the kind of investment that strengthens Croydon's local economy from the ground up. Find them at Unit 1, Segro Park, Redhouse Road, CR0 3AQ. Read more at Wholesale Manager.

This weekend is absolutely stacked. Here's your at a glance guide.

FRIDAY 26 JUNE

🎶 TEA, CAKE, MOTOWN & SOUL: Fancy a chilled afternoon? Tana's is hosting a Motown and Soul afternoon at Shirley Community Library from 1pm to 3pm. Tea, cake, and classic tunes for £11.55. The perfect wind down. Book it at Shirley Community Library.

⚽ JAPAN V TBC AT BOXPARK: Late night World Cup screening kicks off at 11pm at BOXPARK Croydon. Big screens, street food, and that electric atmosphere we've come to love. Free entry options available. Grab your place at BOXPARK Croydon.

SATURDAY 27 JUNE

🎉 LEARNING DISABILITY CARNIVAL 2026: North End is hosting a free, all day celebration from 10:30am to 5pm celebrating inclusion and the achievements of people with learning disabilities. Live music, food stalls, children's activities, and community organisations on hand. Completely free. Bring the whole family. See more at Croydon Council.

⚽ PANAMA V ENGLAND AT BOXPARK: The big one. England's World Cup campaign continues with this crucial group stage match. Screenings kick off at 6pm at BOXPARK Croydon. Get there early to grab a good spot. Tickets from £22. Book at BOXPARK Croydon.

🎤 UTUK POP-UP SHOW AT SURREY STREET MARKET: World Cup themed open mic from 2pm to 5pm at Surrey Street Market. Singers, dancers, freestylers, football freestylers, all ages welcome, family friendly, and free. Catch it at Surrey Street Market.

🔬 STEAM FAMILY FUN DAY: Hands on science, tech, engineering, arts, and maths activities at Canterbury Road Nursery from 2pm to 6pm. Perfect for under 12s. Completely free. Get the details at Canterbury Road Nursery.

🃏 CARDS CONVENTION AT BOXPARK: Trading card event running 10am to 4pm at BOXPARK. Collectors, fans, and gamers, this one's for you. See more at BOXPARK Croydon.

🌙 NOCTURNAL @ CR1: Late night vibes at CR1 Bar & Lounge from 10pm. Dancehall, afrobeats, and R&B. 21 plus, last entry 1am. Entry free to £11.55. Find it at CR1 Bar & Lounge.

SUNDAY 28 JUNE

🏃 RACE FOR LIFE AT LLOYD PARK: Cancer Research UK's 3k at Lloyd Park, starting at 11am. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace. Family friendly, beautiful route, and all for an incredible cause. Sign up at Race for Life.

🤼 LDN WRESTLING AT FAIRFIELD HALLS: Live wrestling action is kicking off a new regular run at Fairfield Halls from Sunday. Expect drama, athleticism, and proper entertainment. See more at Fairfield Halls.

💡 THE £40M BET: The regeneration of Dingwall Road and George Street isn't just about pretty pavements. The £40m investment programme is part of Croydon's longer game to attract 10,000 new residents and 7,000 new jobs to the town centre by 2030. The thinking is simple, make it nicer to walk around, and people will stay longer, spend more, and want to live here. Read more at Croydon Council.

💡 WANDLE'S WILD SIDE: The River Wandle that nearly burst its banks this week was once one of the most industrialised rivers in the world, powering over 90 water mills in the 18th century for everything from textiles to tobacco. Today it's a nature reserve, but Monday showed it's still got some fight in it. Explore more at Wandle Industrial Museum.

💡 SEGRO PARK'S STORY: The site where KCS Cash & Carry just opened, Segro Park on Redhouse Road, sits on land that was once part of Croydon's massive industrial belt. In the 1960s, it was home to engineering and manufacturing firms that employed thousands. The new wholesale depot is a modern echo of that industrial spirit. Learn more at SEGRO.

📢 CRO-LLYWOOD HAVE YOUR SAY: The new CRO-llywood Working Group is shaping Croydon's film and TV future. If you work in the industry, want to break into it, or just think we should have more screens in Croydon, now's the time to get involved. Reach out to the council's economic development team to share your thoughts. This is our chance to shape how Croydon shows up on screen. Get started at Croydon Council.

From the chaos of Monday's storms to the crisp new paving on George Street, this week has been a real Croydon rollercoaster. But what stands out most is the momentum. £40m of investment, a new wholesale hub creating jobs, four new playgrounds on the way, and a proper plan to turn our film fame into real careers. We're not just bouncing back, we're building forward.

Come on Croydon. See you at BOXPARK for the England game.

Your Community Heartbeat

Most men don't think about their skin until eye bags, dark spots, and wrinkles show up at once. Particle Face Cream is a groundbreaking men’s formula that fights all three, while also restoring firmness, hydrating deeply, and reviving dull tone. No complicated routine. Trusted by over a million men. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 20% off with code BH20.

Get 20% Off Today