LAUGHTER could be filling Croydon's streets next year as a series of stand-up comedy events hit the town centre.
Croydon BID, which is responsible for the management of the town centre, is planning to launch Stand-Up LIVE! – an outdoor comedy event.
Chief executive Matt Sims, chief executive of Croydon BID, said the idea has been drawn up to keep shoppers in Croydon and give their stomach muscles a good workout.
He said: "It doesn't matter who you are, everyone loves a giggle. There is such a large talent base in Croydon that it would be stupid not to exploit it. I definitely think people from Croydon are funny.
"This is a long-term plan that is going to run in the future. We want to attract people to the town centre and give them a reason to come back to Croydon."
The festival of laughter follows previous BID-organised town-centre events including Street LIVE!, where circus acts perform, and Christmas Lights LIVE!, which was hosted by TV and Fairfield Halls panto star Steve McFadden (Eastenders' Phil Mitchell) in 2013.
Mr Sims said the plan was to host the events at venues in the town centre and in North End.
He added: "It could be local acts or from outside the area but we want people who visit the town to get involved and be able to have a good time while they enjoy their shopping."
The BID has previously said a key priority in the coming years is to make sure the town centre doesn't deteriorate while Croydon's regeneration happens.
And Croydon has a decent reputation for comedy – with the likes of Kevin Day and Mark Steel hailing from the borough.
