(RELEASED: 20 October 2009 )
Croydon ‘switching-on’ for Christmas

It's that time of year again when the lights go on in the build up to another bumper festive season in Croydon Town Centre.

This year's Christmas lights will be turned on by former Eastenders star, Michelle Collins, who is making a special guest appearance as no nonsense pub landlady ‘Babs Sherwood' in ‘Never Forget', the hit musical with the songs of Take That, for the Christmas season at Fairfield Halls (Dec 22-30).

The Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement (BID) District team will be packing in the crowds on Thursday 19^th November, with a whole host of activity planned at this year's Christmas ‘Switch On' event.

A festive interactive lights show will be one of the main features of the evening's entertainment, which gets underway in North End, Croydon from 4pm. The light show has been used in other parts of the country to great effect, attracting hundreds of visitors to the town and city centres.

There's this, plus the celebrity ‘Switch On' itself, where Michelle will be joined by the four lucky winners of the Croydon Town Centre BID ‘Christmas Lights Competition'. 

Croydon primary school children across the borough were asked to come up with an original design for a Christmas illumination, to feature in this year's Christmas display. Children between the age of 4 and 11 years old submitted their designs, and the quality of the submissions was very impressive. Shortlisted entries will exhibited in the Croydon visitor Centre in November and as part of their prize the children will be asked to join Michelle Collins to turn on the lights. The outright winner will be announced on the day.

The ‘Switch On' will kick off this year's Croydon Christmas Festival which is set to draw large crowds into the Town Centre, with family entertainment planned throughout December including a full Christmas German style market that will be a permanent fixture along the pedestrian area in North End from the 27^th Nov - 20^th December.

"We've had great success with this year's events in the Town Centre, with both the Fashion and Food Festivals attracting large crowds and boosting footfall," said Ros Morgan, BID Manager.

"We're looking forward to enjoying similar success this December, as the Christmas Festival gets underway. Croydon is one of the best shopping destinations in the UK, and I'm looking forward to welcoming everyone into the Town Centre to take advantage of all the fantastic shops and facilities we have here."

[Ends]

Note to Editors:

1. Croydon Business consulted town centre businesses to identify key concerns, support for the BID concept and the type of projects they see as vital for aBID company to carry out. The consultation established six themes for the BID Company to focus on: Safe & Secure, Clean & Attractive, Accessibility, Perception & Image, Festivals & Events and Facilitation.

2. The BID company was established on 1^st April 2007 and reports to the BID Board. Joe Rowe is the Chair of the Board which consists of 17 Board Members who represent a cross section of businesses in Croydon including the retail, leisure, office, not-for-profit and public sector.

3. Businesses within the Croydon Town Centre BID area with a rateable value over £40,000 pay a levy to the BID Company, providing a £1million annual budget to deliver a series of enhancement and improvement initiatives in the Town Centre over a five year term. After 5 years, a renewal ballot will decide whether Croydon BID will continue for a second term.

4.    Croydon BID is now part of the Croydon Economic Development Company (CEDC)

5. About ‘Never Forget': Direct from the West End comes the smash hit musical ‘Never Forget'. Written by BAFTA award-winner Danny Brocklehurst (Shameless) with Guy Jones and Ed Curtis, and with choreography by Olivier award winner Karen Bruce (Footloose, Fame and Saturday Night Fever), this is a funny, touching and ultimately uplifting musical. Five young men enter a local talent competition, each looking for a way out and a step up. Along the path they discover fame comes at a price but friendship lasts forever. Never Forget features classic Take That songs, with a 21 strong company of dancers and singers, a children's choir of 20 and breathtaking special effects including a 24 foot curtain of rain. It's a care-free evening of sheer joy, unbelievable talent and a standing ovation every night.

Press enquiries:

Nick Jones
Croydon Town Centre BID
5^th Floor
Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon CRO 1YE
M; 07886 302 439
T: 020 8680 6135
E: njones@croydonbusiness.com
W: www.croydonbid.com