EFFORTS to bring more shoppers into New Addington have taken a leap forward with the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) on the estate.
The area's businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of creating the BID in a ballot on December 5; creating only the second BID in the borough, after the one in the town centre.
The move means each member business will pay money into a central pot, which they will then invest into the area.
Ken Burgess, chair of the Central Parade Business Partnership, was "over the moon" about the long-awaited formation.
He said: "It was about five years in the making.
"We are probably the smallest BID in the country but we have a strong business partnership.
"The council was very supportive of us, as indeed was Boris Johnson, who gave us some seed money we needed to get if off the ground."
The New Addington BID comprises businesses from the Central Parade shopping area including key streets Central Parade, Chertsey Crescent and Salcot Crescent.
It is anticipated to raise at least £20,000 each year from the annual levy they must pay, which is 2 per cent of their business rates.
The BID will officially be up and running in February, and Mr Burgess said it aims to make sure the area is attractive for shoppers and other visitors.
He added: "It is all about improving the footfall. We want to make sure the area is safe for our shopkeepers and also for our customers.
"We have spent a lot of time over the years looking at that; with a regular income we can revisit all the work we have done in terms of maintenance.
"We also want to make sure more events take place."
Councillor Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for communities and economic development at Croydon Council, has spoken in support of the BID. He said at the time of a cabinet vote in September: "New Addington is an excellent location for a second BID within the borough because of the district's history of positive business engagement with the council.
"It's an opportunity for the council to strengthen its support for economic growth in New Addington, and for businesses to have a direct impact on transforming their district and increasing footfall."
