Growth Gateway
Why Croydon
Croydon is the economic engine connecting London and the South East, which are both the UK’s top-performing Gross Value Added (GVA) contributors. Its economic output rivals cities including Reading, Coventry and Aberdeen, ranking it among the top contributors of all outer London boroughs.
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South London’s Powerhouse
The Economic Engine
of the South East
With £11.7 billion in GVA, a GLA-designated Opportunity Area and a central position in both the Thameslink Growth Corridor and the London Gatwick Airport Economic Zone, Croydon presents an investment case with few equivalents in outer London.
The borough has added 18,000 homes and 1.27 million sq ft of Grade A commercial space in the past decade and has a development pipeline spanning residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
16,000 Businesses
A Regionally Significant Business Hub
Croydon is home to more than 16,000 businesses, powered by the largest and most diverse small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) base in London – spanning retail, logistics, engineering, construction, financial services, nursing, education, insurance and media.
15 Minutes From Anywhere
Connected to London, Gatwick and Beyond
East Croydon station handles 19.5 million passengers a year. Central London is 14 minutes away by rail; London Gatwick Airport is 15 minutes. From East Croydon, a direct service reaches St Pancras International in approximately 30 minutes, with Eurostar connections to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
London's Borough of Culture
The Birthplace of
British Creativity
Croydon has shaped British culture for decades. The borough is the birthplace of dubstep, the creative home of artists including Stormzy, RAYE, David Bowie and Amy Winehouse, and in 2023 served as London’s Borough of Culture — a programme involving 2,750 artists and creatives. Today, that creative energy is propelled by world-class venues, a thriving independent food and arts scene, and a street art tradition that has turned the borough into an open-air gallery.
£30 Million and Counting
A Town Centre Reimagined
Croydon’s Executive Mayor has set out a clear vision for the borough through its new Town Centre Vision and Growth Plan. Mayor Jason Perry called out to the builders, believers and businesses at the launch event: “This isn’t just about growth…This is about belief. Belief in a borough with history, hustle and heart. Croydon is open, it’s moving, and it won’t wait. The question isn’t ‘Why now?’- it’s ‘Why aren’t you already here?”
1.5 Million Workers, 45 Minutes Away
A Talent Pool Built
for Growth
Croydon gives employers access to 1.5 million workers within a 45-minute commute, drawn from London’s most populous borough and the wider South East.
The borough has more than 400,000 residents. Two-thirds are of working age and 20% are under 16, making Croydon one of London’s youngest populations. 50% of residents hold a Level 4 qualification or above (equivalent to a professional diploma or undergraduate degree); a further 14% hold a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to a BTEC or A-levels). Apprenticeship uptake at the highest levels is growing.
Find Your Next Business Hub
Search live commercial office, industrial and retail space in one of the UK’s best-connected business hubs. From flexible coworking to full headquarters buildings, Croydon Commercial lists everything available right now.
