The Paxton Centre, the arts and crafts café, bar and gallery on Anerley Hill, will close when its lease ends at the end of March 2027. Founder Beth Mander opened the creative hub in the former Paxton Arms a little over ten years ago, and since then it has hosted art classes, exhibitions and co-working space, and kept going through the pandemic.

Mander says rising rent and business costs mean the space is no longer sustainable as a self-supporting arts venue, and that the decision was not an easy one. That gives neighbours around six months to enjoy it, so if you have been meaning to pop in, now is the time.

Source: Inside Croydon

25% more hydrated skin in 15 days. Pique's Radiant Skin Duo (Sun Goddess Matcha + B·T Fountain) supports glow from within. Through Oct 11, get a free Nectar Sweetener with any $115+ order. Shop Pique Week →

The tram line remains closed between Reeves Corner and Wandle Park until Thursday 08/10/2026, so there are no direct tram journeys between East Croydon and Wimbledon this week. Transport for London says the works are essential engineering to improve the tramway.

If you commute across the borough, check the journey planner before you set off.

Source: East Croydon Community Organisation

🚂 "Kent & East Sussex Railway" talk, 7:30pm, St Mary Magdalene's Church, Canning Road. Source: East Croydon Community Organisation

🍳 Get The Kids In The Kitchen, a free workshop for little ones, BOXPARK Croydon, 99 George Street, Croydon CR0 1LD, listed from 5pm to 10pm. Source: BOXPARK Croydon

🧠 Big Fat Quizbox, BOXPARK Croydon, 7pm to 9pm. Source: BOXPARK Croydon

Times can change, so please check each organiser's listing before you travel.

🍽️ Mezze Feast at South Norwood Community Kitchen. Check the Kitchen's website for the time and booking details. Source: Inside Croydon and South Norwood Community Kitchen

🌳 Friends of Ashburton Park AGM, Wednesday 07/10/2026 from 19:00 in the main hall at Ashburton Hall, Ashburton Park, with an update from the Heritage Lottery Restoration Project team. Source: Friends of Ashburton Park, via Croydon Council.

📖 Brian Bilston: How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside, Wednesday 07/10/2026, 7:30pm, Fairfield Halls, an evening of comedy and poetry. Source: Londonist

🎭 The Voice of Black Opera Grand Gala Finals, Friday 09/10/2026, 7pm, Fairfield Halls, where five finalists compete for the Sir Willard White Award. Source: Londonist

🎂 Bake Well Being Fundraising Afternoon, Saturday 10/10/2026, 13:00 to 15:30 at The Cricketers, 107 Addiscombe Road, Croydon CR0 6SG. Source: Bake Well Being on Instagram

🚴 Pure in Motion 10k Fun-draising Cycle, Saturday 10/10/2026, from about 09:30 to 13:30, starting and finishing at Wandle Park Café, Cornwall Road, Croydon CR0 3RD. Source: Cycling UK

🧵 Introduction to Bobbin Lace Making with the Croydon Lacemakers, Wednesday 14/10/2026, 18:00 to 21:00, Museum of Croydon, Level 1, Croydon Clocktower, £10 or £15 for two. Source: Museum of Croydon

🎶 Croydon Male Voice Choir Open Evening, Thursday 15/10/2026, at the choir's Sandilands headquarters. No experience needed, just a love of singing. Source: Inside Croydon

Croydon Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund is government funded, runs from 01/04/2026 to 31/03/2029, and replaces the Household Support Fund. It offers a Crisis Payment for residents facing an urgent financial emergency, and a Housing Payment that can help with rent arrears, rent or deposit in advance, and removal costs.

If you, or a neighbour, are struggling, check the council's page for eligibility and how to apply.

Source: Croydon Council

This week we are celebrating the volunteers of Croydon Nightwatch, who meet homeless people in Queen's Gardens at 9.30pm every night. The charity turns 50 this year, and its anniversary quiz night is on 24/10/2026. Croydon Minster is also asking for Harvest Festival donations for Nightwatch and St Alban's Foodbank.

Source: Croydon Today and Inside Croydon

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Bake Well Being uses baking as a way to look after mental health. Its mission is to raise awareness of mental health through talking, baking and eating cake, with recipes, tutorials and honest conversations shared online through its community.

The idea is simple and kind: handmade bakes become a creative release, and sessions encourage "tea and talks" with family or friends while you enjoy what you have made. Alongside the online content, Bake Well Being offers one-to-one coaching, group workshops and events, all built around the joy and skills of baking.

🎂 You can meet the team in person at the Bake Well Being Fundraising Afternoon, Saturday 10/10/2026, 13:00 to 15:30 at The Cricketers, 107 Addiscombe Road, Croydon CR0 6SG.

Source: Bake Well Being and Bake Well Being on Instagram

🧡 Winter shelter appeal: donations to the Croydon Together Shelter made up to 12/10/2026 are being doubled through a match funding campaign run by Croydon Voluntary Action. Source: Inside Croydon

🏨 The Canopy, Altyre Road: the first phase of the former Croydon Park Hotel's conversion into 246 studios and apartments could be finished before Christmas, according to Addiscombe West's Labour councillors after a site tour. Source: Inside Croydon

🗳️ Croydon BID ballot: Croydon BID is going to ballot from 21/09/2026 to 21/10/2026 on its Business Proposal 2027 to 2032, with the proposal and ballot details published on its website. Source: Croydon BID

Two scrapbooks recently donated to the Croydon Minster archive have revealed the story of Operation Crocus, a 1970s Croydon campaign about access to public buildings and spaces. They were kept by Mary Care, a wheelchair user all her life, and record the fundraising coffee evenings and the work that led to a printed guide.

Source: Inside Croydon

👻 The Museum of Croydon has a spooky trail for families from 17/10/2026 to 31/10/2026, 10am to 4pm on Level 1, exploring the secret spooky past of Croydon. Source: Museum of Croydon

Croydon schools and PTAs can share verified fairs, bake sales, fundraiser discos and community notices with the Pulse for free. Submit your future event details through the Submit Your Future Event form.

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Keep checking the Pulse for the next local story and the next useful listing.

Building a Stronger Croydon, Together

The Croydon Local Pulse Team