THE "brutal" architecture of Croydon College has been chosen as the unlikely location for a new Hollywood blockbuster starring Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman and Ryan Reynolds.

Over the next few months the college building will be temporarily transformed into the backdrop for multi-million pound thriller movie, Criminal.

Other parts of the college also being used are the library, foyer and science labs masquerading as a hideout, helicopter launching pad, medical research labs and a CIA operations centre.

Frances Wadsworth, the college's principal and chief executive, said: "The Barclay Road campus was chosen for its location and setting, and I think, its iconic 'brutal' architecture.

"It's a well known and recognisable part of the Croydon landscape and I'm delighted that it will be preserved via film, for the world to see.

"It's a little ironic, too because we use Barclay Road annexe as our film and media space."

Ms Wadsworth added: "It's an almost unbelievable opportunity; we have worked very closely with Criminal's production company to ensure that our students have every opportunity to get involved, and to learn from these seasoned professionals."

The chance to get involved with drama, make-up, construction, catering, costume and staging roles, as well as project management and health and safety were, she said, the sorts of employability experiences which did not present themselves very often.

She said: "It's a fabulous opportunity for Croydon, Croydon College and our students to make their own impression on Hollywood and the international movie-going public."

Filming will start at the end of this month and will conclude in November.

POLICE have confirmed a man who died after being hit by a train at Horley station on Thursday was from Thornton Heath.

Emergency services were called to the station shortly after 8.20am to reports a man had been hit by a train.

The 48-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed.

A British Transport Police spokesman added the man's identity would be confirmed next week.

FOUR children face a three hour journey to and from school after they were re-housed by the council in north east London.

Victoria Taricska and her children were living in temporary accommodation in Gilroy Court Hotel, in Thornton Heath, until they were told to leave last Thursday.

The council said it had no choice but to move Victoria and her children after the owners informed them the flat needed to be refurbished.

When contacted by the Advertiser, Gilroy Court said where families are relocated "doesn't concern us". 

"It's up to the council where they put them," a manager said.

The council said the flat in Ilford, some 20 miles away, was the only suitable accommodation it had available.

Miss Taricska was told by housing officers to accept the move or be classed as having made herself intentionally homeless, meaning she would no longer be eligible for help.

The 32-year-old was advised to find new schools for her children but is determined that they continue to be educated in Croydon.

Her oldest child, Tyler, 13, is making good progress at Quest Academy, in Selsdon, and his sister, Aaliyah, 11, is about to start in Year 7.

The two youngest - Chanelle, 10, and Tiannah, 4 - attend Fairchildes Primary School in New Addington.

Quest Academy only opened on Thursday, but Chanelle and Tiannah spent the first week of term making the three hour trip to and from New Addington accompanied by their mum, who is unwilling to let them travel across London on their own.

Miss Taricska said this week: "I tried to explain to the council that my kids go to school [in Croydon] and that all my family are here. I didn't even know how to get to Ilford. I had never been there in my life.

"They said it was tough and that if I didn't take it I would be making myself homeless. So I had no choice.

"What I won't do is find new schools. My kids are settled and making a lot of progress where they are. I can't take that away from them.

"But I'm terrified that they have to get on a train [to go to and from school]. I don't even let my eldest daughter go to the shop on her own, let alone travel across London."

Miss Taricska says she has had to give up her job as a cleaner in Sevenoaks to keep her children in school as her hours are incompatible with the school journey.

"I'll have to go back on benefits," she said. "I was trying to do the right thing by working but the council has made it impossible."

"I am keeping my children where they are," she added. "It may mean I can't get my kids to school every now and again but there's no way I'm taking them away from their teachers and friends."

Ros Sandell, head teacher at Fairchildes, is to write to the council to support the family's case to be re-housed in Croydon.

When asked whether the move would impact on Chanelle and Tiannah's schoolwork, Ms Sandell said: "Of course it will. Mum's committed enough to be able to do it this week but she will never be able to consistently get them into school.

"Families like theirs should have priority because they are well established within the local community."

A spokesman for the council said: "The council does not want to place families outside the borough but at the moment the pressure on our supply of temporary accommodation is such that we have no choice."

Victoria and her children were among 14 homeless families placed outside the borough last week alone, as Croydon's housing shortage continues. Three, including Victoria and her children, were moved out of Gilroy Court due to the refurbishment plans.

A man who identified himself as the manager of Gilroy Court said: "We informed the council they would have to find somewhere to move these people so that we can refurbish the flats. It's up to the council where they put them.

"Whether that's far away doesn't concern us because we have nothing to do with it."

THE Whitgift Almshouses, Addington Palace, St Mary's Church – all among Croydon's stable of listed buildings.

Now, to that roll call, add an old diving board in the middle of a garden centre.

The concrete diving board was built in 1935 at Purley Way lido, now the site of Croydon Purley Way Garden Centre, and is all that remains of the original Art Deco swimming pool.

Now the structure – one of only three diving boards from the era in the UK to have survived – is being given Grade II listed status by English Heritage.

At the height of its popularity, the lido attracted 9,000 visitors a day during the summer with the diving boards of three, five and ten metres the main attraction.

But in 1979 it had to be closed and a garden centre was opened on the site – however, the diving board remained.

Tracey Herbs, manager of the garden centre, said that a lot of its regular customers used the diving boards when the lido was open.

She said: "They come in and tell us that they did go off the top. They tell us all about it and we all love listening to it.

"It's an amazing focal point and we're so proud.

"It's a big part of the garden centre and it's a unique stamp to have it here. All the staff love it there's no other place like it."

A garden centre employee, who used to visit the lido during the summer as a child, told how she never dared jump off the top board.

She recalled: "I was about 10 when I came here. I used it when it was hot and plenty of people came then in the warm.

"It was a lovely place, all grass, and there were two fountains and a little pool for toddlers.

"It is strange working where I used to come to the swimming pool."

The board is one of five sporting attractions across London to be made into listed structures by English Heritage.

The others are: York Hall in Bethnal Green; the summer pavilion at Beckenham Tennis Club; a former squash court at Rivercourt House in Hammersmith; and the grandstand at Summers Lane sportsground in Barnet.

Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey said: "These new listings are a fine mixture of buildings and structures, providing a fascinating snapshot of how sport in the capital was enjoyed in years gone by.

"Each one of them is worth protecting, to help preserve the memories of glory, excitement and innocent fun they have provided for so many."

ABOUT 500 Croydon Council jobs are likely to be trimmed as the administration looks to balance its books over the coming years.

The figure was discussed in a meeting of the council's Scrutiny and Overview Committee on Tuesday, where Councillor Simon Hall, cabinet member for finance and treasury, gave an early outline of the council's budget position over the next four years.

According to a report put before the committee by Richard Simpson, the council's director of finance and assets, the authority faces a budget shortfall of £34.5 million in 2015/16 and an overall funding gap of £92.8 million by 2018.

Committee member Jason Cummings pointed out the level of savings required was likely to lead to job losses.

He said: "That [the report] suggests we're looking at losing 500 more council employees."

In response, Mr Simpson said the number of job losses "does depend on the options that the council and cabinet set out", but added he "would expect it to be in that region".

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Hall pointed out it did not mean the council would be making 500 employees redundant.

He said: "It won't necessarily be redundancies over the next three years, and we'll be changing totally how services are provided. There's a lot of scope for not replacing staff who leave or take early retirement.

"We're not at that stage in terms of looking exactly what services will change, but it is likely that the head count of the council will go down by around 500 over the next three years.

"We're in a situation where we've had a massive reduction in Government grants and that is forecast to carry on."

He added the council was facing increasing demographic pressures over the coming years and suffered from an "unfair" settlement from the Government.

Cllr Hall is due to outline budget options for 2015/16 to the committee in December.

PROVISION of a cultural quarter for the town centre is being put back at the top of the council's agenda.

Past proposals from the previous Conservative-run council were first mooted eight years ago but have since stalled.

On Monday, the council's cabinet is being asked to approve an ambitious scheme which the now Labour-controlled authority believes will help drive forward the town centre's regeneration and breathe new life into the Fairfield Halls.

Councillor Timothy Godfrey, the cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: "We will be looking to bring forward proper timelines for the development and that needs to be done by autumn.

"This is all about delivery and this time, it is not going to get bogged down."

Redeveloping College Green will be central to the success of the quarter and provide a through route to and from East Croydon Station, connecting visitors with Queen's Gardens, the Clocktower complex, Surrey Street and Exchange Square.

It is planned to integrate Fairfield Halls into the scheme, potentially including a new entrance on the Ashcroft Theatre side of the building.

The scheme also includes the provision of up to 500 homes, along with shops, restaurants possible education and business use.

It is understood the existing Fairfield multi-storey car park is the area potentially earmarked for the homes development.

The intention is that the transformation of College Green will dovetail with the planned homes and hotel scheme next to Croydon College, which was approved by the council's planning committee last week.

Cllr Godfrey said the planned refurbishment of Fairfield Halls would still go-ahead as a stand alone project.

Around £30 million for the work is lined-up as part of the council's forward funding budget, although it is hoped the cost can be brought down.

In the meantime, short-term improvements to Fairfield will be in place by the autumn, including a new-state-of-art cinema for up to 1,000 people using the ground floor of the concert hall, screening blockbuster movies and live streaming events.

There will also be a new studio space for regular comedy and entertainment events and the Arnhem Gallery is being modernised to attract a wider range of conferences, exhibitions, and events.

Cllr Godfrey added: "Having a vibrant cultural quarter can spearhead the wider regeneration and economic development of the town centre."

CROYDON Business Improvement District (BID) has made an official complaint about on-street stalls selling Outlet goods for knock-down prices.

Matt Sims, chief executive of Croydon BID, confirmed a complaint had been made to the council about the stalls in North End, which first appeared in January accompanied by a salesman with a megaphone.

Mr Sims said: "Croydon BID is opposed to the market stalls outside of Croydon Village Outlet. It doesn't paint the right perception and image that we are looking for in Croydon town centre. It doesn't fit with a town centre that is progressive and vibrant and we would like them removed."

The store agreed to silence the megaphone hawker in February while it was in discussions with the council over his future.

However, he returned and has been joined by other stalls selling bargain goods.

A council spokesman clarified the current position, saying: "We are aware of the concerns relating to on-street trading and are making inquiries before deciding what action to take."

Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, also called for the removal of the stalls.

He said: "Clearly if people are in breach of the bylaws then action should be taken.

"I agree with the BID, I think it makes the place look even more run-down and doesn't give the right image or impression we want for the town."

A CLEANING supplies company is embracing a new era as it aims to build on its success as a family business.

For 18 years Futures Supplies and Support Services, based in Beddington Farm Road, Croydon, has been building up its reputation, largely under the leadership of its chief executive Mandie Kemp.

But as the company embraces the age of new technology, her son Marc and daughter Leiann are taking on more responsibility in cementing the company's future without losing the all -important family ethos.

The firm has recently revamped its website – www.futures-supplies.co.uk – to make it easier for customers to shop online 24/7 and manage their accounts.

Marc, 34, who has worked his way up from the shop floor, took over as managing director of the firm in March.

Now Leiann, 27, who started out as general office assistant, has been promoted from her existing job as customer service manager to become sales manager.

Mandie said: "The fact is, I am getting a bit older now and can't do as much as I was doing.

"These changes mean I don't have to be here quite as much as I have been in the past, which is rather nice."

It was important though, she said, that the approach of the company and its commitment to customers did not change.

She said: "The business is still very much a family affair, so it is good to see Marc and Leiann getting on and taking on more responsibility."

Marc said the changes were part of a policy to use the talents of the younger generation, and hopes that commitment to developing younger employees can be enhanced in the not-too-distant future by offering apprentice job opportunities.

He said over the years he and his mother "have had our moments", but that he too remained convinced of the importance of retaining the family business element, even when she was standing back a bit.

Leiann, who has been with the company for eight years, said she was enjoying her new role.

She admitted: "I was probably a bit annoying to Marc when I first started here, but we do have very similar views about the company. We want everything done properly and we want it done well."

GLENN Murray bagged a brace on his debut for loan side Reading as the Royals beat Fulham 3-0.

The 30-year-old striker scored two headers in the convincing victory at the Madjeski Stadium - while his Palace team mates toiled their way to a goalless draw at home against Burnley.

Murray joined the Championship side on transfer deadline day, on a loan deal until January.

He bagged 30 goals in the Eagles promotion season of 2012/13 but struggled for first-team action in the last campaign, as he recovered from a serious injury suffered in the play-offs against former club Brighton.

CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock expressed his frustration with the international break after his side failed to find the net against Burnley.

The Eagles had plenty of chances against Sean Dyche's newly-promoted side but were in the end thankful to keeper Julian Speroni, whose late penalty save from Scott Arfield preserved a point in Warnock's first game back at Selhurst Park.

The Palace manager said he was happy to get something from the game - but admitted the fortnight away from Premier League action hadn't helped his preparations.

He told Sky Sports: "I didn't think we deserved to lose the game. We had plenty of opportunities in the first half and if one of those goes in, it's a different game

"Every point is vital so, like the last game against Newcastle, I'm disappointed we didn't win but in the end, it's a good point."

On the international break, he said: "All the lads were away so we couldn't work on anything pattern-wise.

"Bolasie came back at 10 o clock on Friday morning. That's ridiculous.... coming back a few hours after the game. But that's what we've got to get used to I suppose."

Warnock said he was happy with the home debuts of James McArthur and Wilfried Zaha - in his second coming at Palace - though he revealed the winger suffered an ankle injury on Thursday and had been a doubt for the game.

PARKING problems in Coulsdon town centre could be alleviated by allowing motorists to park on the "rarely used" bus lane on the town's bypass, according to local councillors.

The idea is among a number of suggestions made in a letter sent to Croydon Council leader Tony Newman and Transport for London commissioner Sir Peter Hendy on behalf of all six Coulsdon councillors last week.

They say residents and traders are concerned that the closure of Lion Green Road car park in November for at least 15 months, while a new Waitrose supermarket and community centre are built, will hit trade in the town, especially during the busy Christmas period.

Councillors Luke Clancy, Jeet Bains, Mario Creatura, Christopher Wright, Margaret Bird and James Thompson also suggest delaying the closure of the car park until spaces at the new Aldi store in Brighton Road are ready early next year.

Referring to the plan to use the A23 Farthing Way bus lane for parking they said: "With the road heavily congested it infuriates motorists and residents who see the lane as a waste of much needed space."

But Charles King, chairman of Coulsdon East Residents' Association, dismissed the idea as "nonsense".

He said: "The bypass plan is bonkers. Who wants to park on the bypass? It's nowhere near the town centre and it's used by emergency vehicles during the day.

"What we want is a proper car park in the town centre and I really think the developers ought not to do anything in Lion Green road before Christmas."

Alan Harris, who runs Coulsdon Home Hardware, in Chipstead Valley Road, thinks anything which might help the parking situation should be considered.

He said: "Anything is better than nothing. But if the council delayed the car park closure until after Christmas, that would be more helpful."

Fellow trader Hilary Dunn, from Woods Jewellers, was worried the parking closure would affect the town's Yulefest Christmas festival.

"I was hoping they would keep the short-term car park open at least so it doesn't hit people who want to shop in the town," she said. "There's a real shortage of parking anyway, so it's not ideal to lose even more.

Other ideas, such as relaxing parking restrictions in the town while work takes place on Lion Green road, or allowing traders to park in the community centre on Chipstead Valley Road, have also been mooted.

A council spokesman said it has identified temporary parking, with 26 more on-street bays being made available during the work.

He added: "We do appreciate traders' concerns about the car park being closed over the Christmas period and are working with the developer to try to keep part of it open until the end of December."

TfL said it was aware of the councillors' A23 request and "will be responding to them shortly".

A YEAR ago Croydon University Hospital became the first trust in the country to be subject to a tough new inspection regime.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found it required "significant improvements" - particularly to its rundown A&E.

Twelve months on it is showing encouraging signs of progress.

The A&E's Friends and Family Test (FFT) score has steadily grown from just 40 in April - among the worst in the country - to 71 in July, a score which places it as one of the top four A&E departments in London for patient experience.

The improved figures, which are based on whether people would strongly recommend the service to friends and family, are also set to be sustained for August, according to statistics due to be published in the coming weeks.

Matron Stella Davey has overseen the emergency department for nine months, having been at the hospital for two years.

She has helped to bring in a host of changes over the last nine months to try and improve the department's reputation.

"I think people come in with a preconceived idea of A&E, but also this particular A&E," she said. "It's no secret that in the past it hasn't had the best reputation.

"But some people have said they were pleasantly surprised and a lot of patients are telling us that they've seen that improvement in the last year.

"When the people of Croydon come to this department, it's the most critical, scary time – this is the bit we need to get right."

While technical improvements, like becoming the first A&E department in the country to employ paramedics on-site and creating a dementia-friendly area, have helped, Stella said the introduction of a new tea round by the health care assistants had brought a real improvement in patient satisfaction.

"In the midst of all that busyness and work, somebody walking round giving patients tea, coffee and biscuits, it's such a simple thing that makes a big difference," she said.

"We make sure that the nurses see every patient hourly, but this is an extra opportunity for someone to speak to the patients, another chance to make sure people are getting the best care."

One of the common complaints from people who have to visit A&E departments is that they spend too long waiting for treatment. The hospital is meeting the government's target that 95 per cent of patients are seen within four hours.

"It's not the best place for patients to sit for a long time. We do have to make sure people get seen but also make sure that we provide the best care. I think we have the right balance here."

One of the things she hopes will help driver further improvement is the planned £17.5 million rebuild of the A&E department, expected to be under way next year.

The current unit, built in the 1980s and expanded in the 1990s, was originally designed to treat 70,000 people a year, but at present sees 115,000.

"Patients are always happier in a place that looks brand new. One of the remarkable things is that most of the other hospitals that have made a big improvements in their FFT score have had new departments. Ours wasn't really built for the number of patients we have to treat daily here."

But playing a "crucial role" throughout the changes have been the doctors, nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants who deal with the patients every day.

"I can't describe in words when you've got a group of caring, compassionate nurses and staff looking after patients. When they go over and above, sometimes I just feel I can't ask any more of them.

"The work didn't happen over night but we now have a very clear action plan to ensure things keep improving."

The CQC is due to reinspect the hospital, potentially later this year, to give its verdict.

THE Restaurant Quarter celebrated seeing the back of five months of disruption last week as roadworks in South End came to end.

The £3 million works – funded by Croydon Council, the Mayor of London and Transport for London – aimed to create a cafe culture and make the street a destination for shoppers with alfresco dining, wider pavements, seating areas and more greenery.

The roadworks started in March and last week the temporary one-way system and diversions were removed, much to the relief of local business owners and residents.

Following the improvements, Peter Bagatti, owner of Bagatti's restaurant in South End, hopes to open up the front of his restaurant and have outside seating in the warmer weather.

He said: "It's great. There's still more to go but it's superb for the area, it shows off the restaurants and the unique shopping experience as well. It's great for Croydon, there's lots of regeneration going on."

Residents have also been pleased to see the end of months of disruption. Charlotte Davies, chairman of South Croydon Community Association, hopes that the spruced-up street will attract more visitors to South End.

She said: "We've worked hard to create South Croydon into a real lifestyle area. The roadworks finishing is a great thing – now everyone can come and see the great quality of shops and restaurants we have."

But not everyone is happy. Some South End businesses saythe work has been left unfinished.

Alfonso Comisotti, president of South Croydon Business Association and owner of the Audio Centre Croydon, said: "It has been very expensive and disruptive with poor design, poor management and extremely poor materials. The pavements have stained already and builder's rubbish has been left behind that hasn't been cleared out. The tiles are cracked already. It's supposed to be an improvement but it's not."

A council spokesman said that the resurfacing of the road in South End marked the end of the most disruptive works that traders, residents and visitors have faced, and that the council are aware of some paving defects that are yet to be remedied. He said: "Rest assured that these are being attended to and we remain committed to delivering the highest quality public highway throughout the Restaurant Quarter."

A DEVELOPMENT which will bring new homes and a hotel in a 38-storey skyscraper next to Croydon College has been approved.

The scheme is a joint venture between Phoenix London and Regional and the college, which owns the site.

It is a single tower, part of which will be 38 storeys tall and part 16 storeys, while the scheme also includes a plan for a basement car park.

The development will feature a 225 room high-end hotel and 150 new homes, which will be a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Twenty per cent of the homes will be affordable.

The developers are also setting aside £2.9 million to provide additional affordable homes elsewhere.

There will be new restaurant and leisure facilities, community space and public realm improvements to College Green.

Planning councillors indicated they would like to see college catering students involved in the running of the restaurant/cafe.

The sale of the site will also raise around £2.75 million, to help meet the cost of improvements to the college's further education provision at its Fairfield building.

This work will include upgrading six science laboratories, removing remaining asbestos from the building, creating a training centre for health and social care and improved provision for construction trades training.

Labour councillors want to see 30 per cent affordable housing in new developments, but these plans were drawn up before they took control of the council in May,

Councillor Paul Scott, chairman of the planning committee, said: "On balance 20 per cent was as good as we could have got."

The contribution to improving the college, he said, had been an important factor in approving the scheme.

Dilip Kesevan, managing director of Phoenix London and Regional, said: "We're a local business and many of us are Croydon born and bred so we want to see the area reach its full potential.

"With a hotel to encourage inward investment; more than 150 new homes and a significant package of affordable housing and community benefit, our plans are the next step towards a more connected Croydon where the whole community is included in the area's regeneration."

Work on the development is expected to start in mid 2015.

NEIL Warnock revealed after Crystal Palace's 0-0 draw with Burnley that midfielder Barry Bannan wasn't injured - even though he failed to make the matchday squad.

Instead, Warnock said he preferred to have the option of Jonny Williams to come off the bench, leaving Bannan to watch the game from the stands - a week after he'd impressed from the start in Scotland's narrow defeat in Germany.

New signing James McArthur was also preferred to Bannan in the starting XI, even though he was on the bench for the Tartan Army in their clash with the world champions.

Warnock said after the match, when asked if Bannan was injured: No. I just fancied Jonny today. 

"I thought he [Bannan] did well for Scotland, they all did and I thought they were unlucky to lose."

Last month, Bannan spoke of his frustration at a lack of first-team action under previous boss Tony Pulis - and admitted he could've left the club had he stayed in charge.

Bannan told us: "If Pulis was still the gaffer and I wasn't playing, it would have come to the point of going out on loan or maybe try to get a permanent move somewhere else.

"I don't want to be sitting on benches, I'm looking forward to the new boss to prove I should be in his team week in, week out."