The Reality of London's 'Knife Crime Capital'

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  • čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
  • Welcome to Croydon, a town in south London, but this video isn't just a look at a place with a dying high street.
    I wanted to explore deeper into this notorious town, and when ‪@CronxWatch‬ got in touch saying they were up for giving me a tour, I knew I had to get down and explore.
    The area has it's struggles. Massive underfunding, constantly making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and yet I managed to find a positive side that I was not expecting.
    Massive thanks to ‪@CronxWatch‬ for showing me round Croydon, and letting me see the side that normally isn't portrayed. Also to ‪@realfend‬ and ‪@ringovision‬ for stopping and showing what they get up to.
    Go check out my new channel where we attempt to convert a tiny Toyota Aygo into a fully working camper - • The Build Begins on th...
    #abandoned #highstreet #croydon #london

Komentáře • 448

  • @wanderingturnip
    @wanderingturnip  Před měsícem +14

    Check out the new channel where we convert a Toyota Aygo into a camper - czcams.com/video/uk_2iTmJBQM/video.htmlsi=YdT1hQKsN4xhu5gx

    • @LeahDyson-kq4bd
      @LeahDyson-kq4bd Před měsícem

      This is what happens when you ban guns you get knife epidemics lol

    • @Montgomery539
      @Montgomery539 Před měsícem +1

      That channel is a good one too 🎉can’t wait to see the finish of this camper car

    • @PF333-mo9ue
      @PF333-mo9ue Před 29 dny

      I enjoyed your video about Croydon, especially being a born and bred Croydonian aswell .
      I’m not a youtuber, but have seen a few of your videos.
      Wish I knew that you were going to do one on Croydon, as I know alot of the local history, and places of interest. If you ever decide to feature Croydon again, I’d be happy to be your tour guide, but if not, it was a great watch, thanks

  • @CronxWatch
    @CronxWatch Před měsícem +208

    Thanks for visiting mate, was an insightful day. Much like everywhere, there's good and bad around here - I reckon we captured that well enough. Big up!

    • @JasonSaffer-ip7me
      @JasonSaffer-ip7me Před měsícem +6

      Love your videos really

    • @aenayyar
      @aenayyar Před měsícem +3

      I started the video hating on my hometown- you guys reminded me of everything i forgot I loved

    • @Montgomery539
      @Montgomery539 Před měsícem

      Thanks that was great !

  • @aye3678
    @aye3678 Před měsícem +142

    That 50p looking building being voted the ugliest is beyond ridiculous. It looks so much better than most new builds.

    • @rnorvegicus
      @rnorvegicus Před měsícem +4

      It's actually a secret homage to the " Old Mate Designs Aroma - 3 " grinder I have before me 👍 (Tis! Check 'em out 😄)

    • @Skaterbun
      @Skaterbun Před měsícem +15

      It was always known as the Threepenny bit(thrupnebit) building to the older ones like me lol 😂

    • @shirleysmith1713
      @shirleysmith1713 Před měsícem +1

      I agree 👍🏻💰

    • @nicka3697
      @nicka3697 Před měsícem

      Yup the old thrupenny bit building is older than decimalisation. There are some really nice high rise buildings in Croydon amongst the urban decay. And some lovely folks too who deserve better than the planning blight of recent years.

    • @NeighborSenpai
      @NeighborSenpai Před měsícem

      I remember this building being a scene in bandersnatch

  • @mitchblank
    @mitchblank Před měsícem +84

    Pleasantly surprised by this video. I've seen a few "poverty porn" visits to Croydon, with youtubers acting like it's a warzone or something. The thumbnail had me thinking this would be another one. But you've done a fair job here -- it's obviously an area with some problems, but still plenty of nice parts as well.

    • @HaggardPillockHD
      @HaggardPillockHD Před měsícem +8

      Nah, he's a decent CZcamsr who keeps an open mind. I've been watching his channel grow since his 'chimney' video. He's a good un

    • @lukebarnes3157
      @lukebarnes3157 Před 20 dny

      What nice parts did you see? 😂

  • @shroomjak200
    @shroomjak200 Před měsícem +14

    Having a local give you a tour will always be the best. It brings a second personality and a greater depth of history about the area

  • @C1umsyJester
    @C1umsyJester Před měsícem +54

    RIP the second mic. Was a pleasure meeting and showing you around dude, glad you got to see the community we have in the cronx!

  • @Kaiden_Da_Dawg
    @Kaiden_Da_Dawg Před měsícem +35

    Been watching CronxWatch for a little while even before finding the Wandering Turnip, never expected them to appear here. Such a small world.

  • @skasteve6528
    @skasteve6528 Před měsícem +16

    when I see people like David & the Ringo vision guy, It makes me think that there is hope for the future.

  • @ringovision
    @ringovision Před měsícem +37

    ONE LOVE GUYS THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CROYDON COME BACK TO SEE US

  • @ennythinn
    @ennythinn Před měsícem +28

    I'm from Croydon and that video was brilliant. Your summary was pretty much on point. Thank you and CronxWatch.

  • @RandallSlick
    @RandallSlick Před měsícem +10

    I'm an old country boy and well remember visiting my grandma in Mitcham in the 70s and 80s. Croydon was so space-aged and modern to me as a kid. Brutalism and more familiar Victorian brickwork blew my little mind. Plus the toy departments in Kennards and Allders had more toys to play with the anywhere outside Hamleys (what would kids today think when you tell them you could go into shops and actually play with the toys?) They seem to have torn down most of the concrete, which is a pity. Glad the thruppenny bit, or 50p building's survived.

  • @jojorobmum
    @jojorobmum Před měsícem +25

    Great to see Cronx watch!

  • @rossjl
    @rossjl Před měsícem +15

    Your channel is brilliant. I really like your attitude and your open mindedness. It's really refreshing to hear the voices of local people.

  • @TheDenihunter
    @TheDenihunter Před měsícem +8

    Thanks for this mate. Made me feel quite emotional. As an Croydon exile (now in Aus) you presented a balanced picture. Such potential in Croydon. Just hope it gets realised.
    It might be a bit of a ****hole but I love it all the same.
    Big punk history too in the town in a venue called the Greyhound ( latterly 'Blue Orchid') also Fairfield Halls ,so many huge acts. David Bowie, Stevie wonder loads!
    The dubstep shop also has a music history prior to it. Used to be called Green Dragon house. A club in there was where 'Wham' (George Michael et all) filmed 'Young Guns go for it'.
    Appreciate your work .

  • @ECWAlex
    @ECWAlex Před měsícem +20

    I grew up in Croydon in the 70s, 80s and early nineties, it was thriving then but starting to go downhill. I barely recognised anything from your video and sad to see what is left of Allders, that was a gorgeous shop!

    • @user-fb3yf2xb2z
      @user-fb3yf2xb2z Před měsícem +2

      this was how i saw it too - also the whitgift centre has been hollowed out and there's not enough green space for it not to be depressing once you are there for a while. he made a balanced video though, certainly gave it the best look of croydon. and yes, he did find the chimneys - i commented too early in the video, my bad!

    • @miamitten1123
      @miamitten1123 Před měsícem

      …the big, tall business buildings have been empty as long as I can remember.

    • @Amberle38
      @Amberle38 Před měsícem +3

      Same here, remember going into Allders as a child, & the whitgift centre - it's practically unrecognisable now. Sad indeed.

  • @projectresonate5142
    @projectresonate5142 Před 25 dny +4

    Big Up RingoVision and his boys. Feeding the poor.
    Great video again and having the local guy show you round was fantastic.

  • @daveminskip5541
    @daveminskip5541 Před měsícem +3

    I am Australian & was assaulted about 15 years ago at night in Croydon near Fairfield Hall went to the Police but they were not interested.

  • @SamiSami-ln4bs
    @SamiSami-ln4bs Před měsícem +15

    Really good to see this fresh take on croydon. David gave him a good introduction to croydon 🎉🎉🎉 well done david i think you will be a good journalist for croydon

  • @mellimoon77
    @mellimoon77 Před měsícem +4

    Thanks for featuring Croydon! I am from there originally and know all the corners you were shown (those Ikea towers remind me of my childhood!) and remember the days when the shopping centres thrived.
    Although I wouldn't hang round the shopping district at night, I generally feel fairly safe there otherwise and there are some wonderful gems - especially in terms of architecture - like the old Almshouses and the 16th century building that houses the music shop 'just flutes'. Also there's great indepedent delis and cafes down towards that South Croydon end, for example. Nice folk gigs at the Oval Tavern too.
    I sometimes stay with friends in Croydon who set up a successful community garden, there's definitely a feeling of community spirit that I haven't felt as much elsewhere in south London, and I especially like how multicultural it is. The rent prices are getting insanely unaffordable though, even though it's still viewed as 'run down' for London standards.

  • @grayhalf1854
    @grayhalf1854 Před měsícem +14

    I used to work for the IND (immigration department) in offices on top of the Whitgift in the late 90s. I mean it was never like Kensington or Hampstead but it was decent enough. I moved away and hadn't been back until I visited last year. And I was genuinely shocked seeing how bad the town centre has got. Excuse the hyperbole but the decay felt almost dystopian - as though the invisible bonds that were holding the fabric of the place together were loosening. I was genuinely shocked. And Beanos had closed down too (if you know, etc...) 😐 I hope it gets the investment it needs and the spirit of the place isn't terminally broken.

    • @Amberle38
      @Amberle38 Před měsícem +1

      Spent a lot of time & money in Beanos as a teenager. I've too barely been back after leaving in the 90s & it's sad to see the decline.

  • @ngbarnes
    @ngbarnes Před měsícem +14

    I've been in Croydon for 15 years and think your guides covered most aspects, good and bad. The 50p building also featured in the film Bandersnatch, and one of the empty units in the first precinct you visited was mocked up as WHSmith in the film too. You should've walked through the current WHSmith, the lights follow you around to save energy as it's so quiet in there.
    There used to be a strip of bars and clubs that were very popular, but COVID closed them all. I see you visited the Dog and Bull, easily the best pub in the area.
    The main Whitgift Centre (security guard centre) was the place to shop upto even 5 years ago, but with the promise of Westfield re-development and then COVID killing all plans the place never recovered.

  • @Lynnys1
    @Lynnys1 Před měsícem +10

    Have lived in the North of the borough for over 20 years. Some things have radically changed over that time and a lot can be attributed to the Westfield debacle as was perfectly explained and reflected in your video. It destroyed the town centre. Businesses that had been working for 30 years were forced to close in anticipation of this saviour project that was supposed to revitalise the area and never materialised. Covid and the riots were also huge contributors to its downfall. But Croydon is so much more than the high street and thank you for providing a balanced view of the area. It has amazing, friendly people who care about, and work for, the community. If you venture out of the high street area and go further into the borough it has a wealth of open spaces and parks that are beautiful and relaxing. Like a lot of areas it does have problem areas and issues- drugs, anti social behaviour - but for the most part it’s a decent place to live and is considerably less expensive than areas closer to the centre of London. It does have plenty to do here if you know where to go - pubs, art spaces, premier league football stadium, performance venues like Fairfield Halls. The Brit School with a long list of families alumni is in the north of the borough. Croydon has such a bad reputation which is sad and unfortunately being chronically underfunded by the government, having a bankrupt council and the closure of police stations and reduction of the police numbers in the outer London boroughs (thanks to Boris) does not help. Thank you for showing some of the good of Croydon. There’s plenty here. Wouldn’t live anywhere else in London!

    • @user-fb3yf2xb2z
      @user-fb3yf2xb2z Před měsícem +2

      Good you mentioning Fairfield Halls and the Brit School - both credits to Croydon. No-one yet mentioned Sarah Jane Smith, the Doctor Who assistant from Croydon did they?

    • @yeonake
      @yeonake Před měsícem

      I was asking for help with directions in Croydon. The "friendly" people ignored me. People in Croydon are antisocial and rude

  • @user-s1o3nr532
    @user-s1o3nr532 Před měsícem +24

    Allders of Croydon was famous outside of Croydon back in the day! Such a shame we haven't got strong use it or lose it laws to force landlords and asset management companies to redevelop and change use of the buildings for residential use for example. That would certainly be better for the community than letting the landlords just sit on these beautiful buildings as they deteriorate just so they can have an asset that rises in value (the rise being untaxed) as property prices rise against inflation.

    • @andybaker2456
      @andybaker2456 Před 29 dny

      My mum worked in Allders in the 80s. She loved working there, it was a nice store, and the third biggest department store in London after Harrods and Selfridges.

  • @CommonSenseBodybuilding
    @CommonSenseBodybuilding Před měsícem +8

    Croydon is the one place I’ve gotten off a mainline station and instantly felt on edge

  • @Nomoreanons
    @Nomoreanons Před měsícem +15

    I really enjoyed this, having grown up in South London. You walked right past a wall celebrating The Brit School without mentioning Adele who went there and Stormzy who grew up in Thornton Heath.

    • @ED-209UHD
      @ED-209UHD Před měsícem

      Both souls their souls to the Illuminati wake the fcuk up!

    • @dhdavidholloway
      @dhdavidholloway Před měsícem

      Also Katie Melua went there

    • @badtoxxin7909
      @badtoxxin7909 Před 27 dny

      King Krule and maybe if I remember Rex Orange County went there I think

    • @ED-209UHD
      @ED-209UHD Před 26 dny

      @@dhdavidholloway Who’s gives a flying Fcuk about people that are Illuminati members?! Melt!

  • @JamieWilliams777
    @JamieWilliams777 Před měsícem +9

    Basically the Government decided not to fund Croydon with a new shopping centre which was its heart beat. The whole area then turnt into a sh*t hole. People lost jobs and resorting to drugs for escapism and young youths saw selling drugs as an opportunity to make money because of lack of Jobs and pathway to jobs.. the drug game is very competitive which is where the violence stems from as if you sell on someone else territory to their customers you taking money off their table so the experience Gang members kill for these reason making the government not even want to look at Croydon and the cycle continues

  • @ennythinn
    @ennythinn Před měsícem +7

    The facade of the Allders building is protected.
    When the Westfield is eventually built in god-knows-when it would incorporate the existing exterior.
    Westfield have recently been doing maintenance on the facade which is a good sign.

  • @GreenSaxon
    @GreenSaxon Před měsícem +4

    Heartbreaking watching this. I used to live in Croydon, regular at the Black Sheep Bar. Airport shut long before the 70's. First bomb to hit Croydon was an incendiary that rolled into the kerb in my old mans street and a fireman tipped soil over it. My uncle worked at the airport during the war. Croydon used to be the playground of the rich, that's why so many of the buildings are so beautiful. Stunning woodland in Croydon and lots of it too, The centre used to be absolutely rammed with people back in the 70's /80's. There are some very wealthy areas and some serious poverty now after 14 years of Tory rule and poor Labour Councils in Croydon. Big enoughto be a city in its own right. It's all been wrecked by the looks of things. Very sad to see the high street. Allders was a huge shop and there was another 'Grants' just as big across the road years back. Oh man.

  • @felicityscarth3153
    @felicityscarth3153 Před měsícem +4

    Fascinating video! What a nice lad you met up with. Thank you for your balanced and fair minded tours.

  • @somewheredifferent
    @somewheredifferent Před měsícem +12

    Wow. Loving the new 'yellow' stories. Go go :) I love the way he keeps saying "back in the day" like he is 80+

  • @srfurley
    @srfurley Před měsícem +6

    The site of the Town Hall and the lower part of Queens Gardens was another Station, Central Croydon. It was open for just a few years, closed then re-opened for just a few more years before closing for good and being replaced by the Town Hall. I don’t remember the exact date, around 1890. I used to be a relief projectionist at the David Lean Cinema at the Clocktower.
    The Westfield scheme has been a disaster for Croydon as a shopping area. A large area in Central Bradford, near Forster Square Station was demolished for a Westfield, then the economic situation changed and they lost interest and the site remained empty for years. Eventually the Broadway Centre was built, but I don’t think Westfield are involved. Croydon town centre is in a pretty terrible state now, but some of the outer areas, such as New Addington, which had a bad reputation in the past, are doing better.

  • @user-fb3yf2xb2z
    @user-fb3yf2xb2z Před měsícem +7

    Probably have been good to give Beanos a mention? Anyone remember there? Awesome record store to browse at lunchtime while on your white collar office job, or any other reasons!

    • @SamThredder
      @SamThredder Před měsícem +2

      Ahhh, Beanos! I spent so much time and money in there! What a rad shop

  • @shannon.t
    @shannon.t Před měsícem +5

    I’m so happy you explored croydon it use to be so full of life back in the day, was born here and now I can’t wait to get out it’s so depressing and sad 😢

  • @margarethmendy3015
    @margarethmendy3015 Před měsícem +5

    Thank you for sharing this video of Croydon with us. Since 2018 we visited the uk and we always stay in Croydon for our weekends because it's near London city center. We always do shopping and go to some restaurants there and now a lot of shops are closed this is so sad for this beautiful city and for the wonderful people that live there. 🙏👍👍🥰

  • @GRTVO
    @GRTVO Před měsícem +3

    This was a fantastic video. I learned things about Croydon. I'm following Ringo Vision. Brilliant young man full of good intentions. Imagine if we were all like him. Thank you for highlighting him. You should be on mainstream TV you're so much better than 99% of the so-called presenters getting those huge salaries lol. I don't have a TV anymore. I watch CZcamsrs. Keep doing what you're doing. It's amazing.

  • @sallyr4057
    @sallyr4057 Před měsícem +2

    I grew up in Croydon through the 60s and 70s. It’s so sad to see the Whitgift Centre and the High Street suffering so much. It used to be such a vibrant place to shop and meet up with your mates. Thank you for also showing us some positive aspects of the community today. 👌

    • @G-Man78
      @G-Man78 Před měsícem

      It's terrible now. Like a ghost town. Empty shops and lack of investment 😢

  • @user-fb3yf2xb2z
    @user-fb3yf2xb2z Před měsícem +19

    Allders was very impressive until it closed.

  • @gr1ff1ngton
    @gr1ff1ngton Před měsícem +5

    Great video, and big up Ringovision ❤
    That was lovely to see

  • @jimg9820
    @jimg9820 Před měsícem +4

    I was born in Croydon, but left at 11. Did live near by in Streatham in my 20s but not been back in 30 odd years. Always seemed to be a cycle of one part being developed then dying off whilst another was developed. Interesting to see it now - thanks Turnip! BTW in my day the 50p building was the Thruppenny bit tower - the three pence piece had 12 sides so made more sense than the 7 sided 50p!😛

    • @user-fb3yf2xb2z
      @user-fb3yf2xb2z Před měsícem

      Ah yes. I worked opposite it for a couple of years in the aptly named Eggbox building!

  • @EllisWR
    @EllisWR Před měsícem +6

    Come to Blackburn mate ahah. Not quite sure what we'd show ya like! To be fair the towns history is incredible from the days of the industry to the party scene in the 80s 90s.
    Top stuff as always mate.

  • @paulbird671
    @paulbird671 Před měsícem +2

    Used to live in croydon ... good memories ...great video ....good luck with your channel

  • @eleanorsteventon7534
    @eleanorsteventon7534 Před 22 hodinami

    So refreshing to see people genuinely love and care for their town despite the negative going ons there. Lots of positivity coming out of this place. Thanks for showcasing Turnip ❤ xx

  • @Fabermorrow
    @Fabermorrow Před měsícem +9

    The home of dubstep! I went there on my first visit to london as i am deeply involved in the music that came from this place and everyone i told that i was going there thought i was insane... Everyone i met there was nice, the public transit was great and its a pretty area, but i did hear it can be a bit rough

  • @RafWalton
    @RafWalton Před měsícem +1

    Moved south 8 years ago, and it truly saddens me to see what has become of Croydon. Back in the 90s, it was teeming. It was a renowned shopping town and was absolutely rammed full of bars and clubs. Looks like Ghost Town.

  • @wellardme
    @wellardme Před měsícem +1

    I love how you meet locals and get shown around. A really nice touch! Love the channel!

  • @traceywoodall6937
    @traceywoodall6937 Před měsícem +1

    Thanks for another great video and hello to all the great people in Croydon. I really do believe that there is always good to be found anywhere. Please keep up all the good work that you are all doing. Thank you 👍🥰

  • @dglukesluthier
    @dglukesluthier Před měsícem +3

    Brilliant video about my hometown. Big up Croydon

  • @0runny
    @0runny Před měsícem +2

    I just love your channel, so insightful, the people and areas. Please give us more of your unique style, in London, the UK and the World. Amazing.

  • @ennythinn
    @ennythinn Před měsícem +4

    The IKEA chimneys are iconic here! Glad you like them :)

    • @Skaterbun
      @Skaterbun Před měsícem

      I’m so old I remember when they were part of the power station lol 😂

  • @janet1844
    @janet1844 Před 4 dny

    I was born in Croydon and lived there for thirty years. I’m now almost eighty and it breaks my heart to see how it’s now a fallen town . Unrecogniseable to how it was. Very sad

  • @hahatoldyouso
    @hahatoldyouso Před měsícem +2

    Born in Croydon….have to say very sad how much the town has declined over the past 20 years…

  • @ashphoenix9177
    @ashphoenix9177 Před měsícem +1

    I’m born and bred in Croydon and absolutely love it.. the whole world seems to be going up in flames,not just croydon .. what’s really disgusting and embarrassing is that all them huge buildings are sitting empty in hopes of becoming part of some gross shopping mall.. bc that’s what the world need right now.. more shops🙄 all these homeless ppl..ppl living rough, family’s waiting for homes, refugees and the list goes on..what a waste of space. And it’s not about the money… there is and always has been all the money in the world.. it’s pure evil what’s going on. The world is full of good and bad no matter where you go.. we need to unite and remember what really matters. Health and spiritual wealth & that comes with community.

  • @annekagonzalez694
    @annekagonzalez694 Před 27 dny +1

    I grew up nearby and work/run tours in the area. People can act snooty about Croydon but if decline can happen here it can happen in any town. It used to be so bustling! I have faith it’s going to get better, it just needs a new direction and something different. Some interesting arty things popping up. Give it 10 years and it might be the new shoreditch?!

  • @notmenotme614
    @notmenotme614 Před 28 dny +1

    Croydon airport was an RAF airfield during World War 2’s Battle of Britain.
    Spitfires based at RAF Croydon defended London for German bombers.

  • @kscterry
    @kscterry Před měsícem +6

    Half of Croydon (Northern side) is very deprived and has significant issues with knife crime etc. The Southern side is very affluent. The Town Centre has gone down massively over the last 15 years or so. A lot of this is due to gentrification of previously very challenged parts of London eg Brixton and Peckham with people being pushed out of these places to Croydon as a result of massively rising house prices. That precinct at about 10 mins has been derelict for years.
    A big issue in Croydon is the Council. The previous Labour administration spent millions on property investment which didn't generate any sort of return. This meant it went bankrupt in 2020 so can't invest in the local area at all.

    • @mitchblank
      @mitchblank Před měsícem +2

      The centre has also been badly affected by retail collapse. In many ways this is the exact same thing you see everywhere (more online shopping -> fewer stores needed -> high street gets shabbier -> repeat) but Croydon has been affected more than most. First, because it was a particularly dense retail area (so more to hollow out) but also the decades-long Westfield saga (announced 2012, current planned completion in 2038!) which has halted any other investment.

  • @AliciaKayElune
    @AliciaKayElune Před měsícem +2

    I used to go to Croydon college and used to work in Croydon too. What a shame that it’s going so far downhill… I remember all sorts of nightclubs and bars and many shops. Croydon town used to be so full of life…. Such a sad reality nowadays….

  • @adriansmith1410
    @adriansmith1410 Před měsícem +3

    Top class big respect to all the good ones in Croydon 💪🐸✌️

  • @r2d2b3c4
    @r2d2b3c4 Před 26 dny +1

    Oh my god one of my favourite CZcamsrs in Croydon! That's unbelievable! Cronx representin \m/

  • @rbsentertainment
    @rbsentertainment Před 29 dny +1

    Thanks for making this video on Croydon!

  • @lifeisblessed4802
    @lifeisblessed4802 Před 14 dny

    lived in the YMCA Hostel in 97 and Croydon was the place to be,When i was bored use to go to Big Apple record shop,then on the weekends Sports bar then right next door the Blue Ochard,Then watch the Addington boys sometimes come down for a scrap lol Big Up Smithy,Glad u showed what Ringo Vision is doing for the Homeless, people must sub to Ringo so he can help even more people,Thanks for the video Wandering Turnip and stay blessed always

  • @ReubenAStern
    @ReubenAStern Před měsícem

    One thing I always liked about London is there's so many interesting people. You could talk to a street cleaner or a waiter and more times than not they're also an actor, musician or something else in their spare time.

  • @davidhabert
    @davidhabert Před měsícem +2

    I used to be a regular at The Black Sheep Bar many years ago, usually on a Thursday night when it played Heavy rock/metal music. It was great fun, other places I used to hang out at in Croydon was Reflex night club and The Ship. (I still go to the Ship now and again, I live over in Bromley and I still have a lot of love for The Ship and parts of Croydon)
    I also used to work at Vue Croydon Purley Way and later on at Vue Grants for over 12 years. Trust me when I tell you after COVID hit, both cinemas went downhill and personally I'm glad that I no longer work there. I do respect all those guys in the video but to say that Croydon has gone downhill is an understatement, with the amount of buildings that have been knocked down or closed all together, that town looks like something out of a world war two movie, it wasn't always like this.
    Don't get me wrong, there are some great and friendly people from Croydon like that artist/podcaster and CZcamsr called Fend. (6:58) But I personally feel that the bad press that Croydon where the stabbings are concerned is seriously overrated. If you don't look for trouble, then it won't find you or be attracted to you. In short *just mind your own business and go about your business.*

  • @TeaAndTonic92
    @TeaAndTonic92 Před měsícem

    Such an interesting video! I'm an American who moved to the UK about 4 years ago, and my first housemates always cautioned me against visiting (let alone looking for flats!) in Croydon because of its reputation as a dangerous place. Slowly I started making my way there and found it a really fascinating area with so much history (and I clearly have only just scratched the surface, didn't know all that about the airport!). I ended up living in Purley for a year, not far outside of Croydon, and now still am a quick bus ride away from it. Sad to hear so many beloved places and, I agree, really architecturally intriguing buildings, have been left abandoned, though really interesting to hear from people who grew up there and still call it home.

  • @thathurt
    @thathurt Před měsícem +1

    I went to Croydon once and where I live is so bad, I was pleasantly surprised by Croydon. 😆 I enjoyed my visit.

    • @NewMaldenRBLX
      @NewMaldenRBLX Před měsícem

      I don't live there and I enjoyed my visit

  • @rogermccartney8720
    @rogermccartney8720 Před měsícem +1

    Great vid. Love your enthusiasm and positivity x

  • @mangiagatti85
    @mangiagatti85 Před 4 dny

    We do have a thriving Premier League football club a mile from the centre...@ Selhurst Park...Crystal Palace since 1905! Some things are looking up...& that's always a good idea when you're walking in the shopping streets.So much history...including my own. My maternal family were bakers, carpenters & did their bits in the two world wars...even under the bombs & V1s of '39-'45...still piles of rubble & bombsites when I grew up in the 60s...a bit like that in parts now! Great video mate!

  • @LondonLovesOlympics
    @LondonLovesOlympics Před měsícem +1

    Thank you for showing Croydon in a good light, I've lived here for 23 years. It is really disappointing how the Conservative government caused Croydon to go bankrupt. People need to understand that their are good places in areas deemed as "bad". We also have a museum in the Library near Vue cinema.

  • @grantbanstead1971
    @grantbanstead1971 Před měsícem +3

    I lived in West and South Croydon at the beginning of the end. I went to the Technical College near East Croydon Station and the 50p (or threepenny-bit) tower that was known as the NLA Tower when new. Empty tower blocks and office blocks everywhere but they kept building them. They converted an office block into flats with some having no windows at all! No natural light. Definitely some sort of human rights abuse by the Council that housed people there. I remember the trams being built and the dreadful Star pub where Pink Floyd once played. Rosann Auction house for cheap furniture, Millets, Surrey Street Market that featured in The Bill from time to time. Brentford Nylons, and St Georges Walk where I bought my first HiFi. When Reeves Furniture was burnt down in the riot no one ever mentions that furniture is supposed to be flame retardant yet one cigarette caused an inferno in 5 minutes! Alders became Debenhams became empty. Perhaps its back with something new? Happy days watching Crystal Palace based at Selhurst Park, Croydon. The first Fame School based on the film. I'd go back now but they charge for parking 7 days a week 365.

  • @mwenichibwa6147
    @mwenichibwa6147 Před 27 dny +1

    Croydon gets a bad reputation but I enjoyed my time living there 2010-2023. London's best kept secret lots of lovely parks unfortunately the council messed up the westfield arrival. Cheaper accomodation and 24/7 trains to East Croydon from Victoria

  • @kevinbradley310
    @kevinbradley310 Před měsícem +2

    Good video! There's still Dubstep in Croydon at Riff Raff's.

  • @Colston3
    @Colston3 Před měsícem +3

    Somewhere like Deptford would be interesting, should try Crystal Palace too.

  • @onelovepeace65
    @onelovepeace65 Před měsícem

    My neighbour flew to Jersey from Croydon airport on his honeymoon. 94 and still going strong. Good man.

  • @XNA2NW3
    @XNA2NW3 Před 22 dny

    I know it’s not as easy as that, but it seems counterintuitive to have all those empty buildings in the middle of a housing crisis. Your Corydon pals were amazing. Keep it up!

  • @davetaylor4741
    @davetaylor4741 Před měsícem +5

    Croydon when I was a kid was much more of a thriving community. Never really classed it as London. The Burroughs had their own identity now absorbed into London. The young bloke growing up there was born in 94. He missed the best of Croydon. By the time he can remember it was in decline. Now with the current political unrest in the UK who knows it might finish up with another riot. UK currently on a hiding to nowhere.

  • @dawnlizreads
    @dawnlizreads Před měsícem +1

    I moved from Chiswick to Croydon at the beginning of the year - very different places! But, I kinda hated Chiswick because the high street was always heaving and everything was so expensive. In Croydon, there's always people about but not to an overwhelming degree. Plus, so much cheaper! That said I have heard that guy say 'half price, half price' so many times now that I am surprised I don't hear it in my sleep!

    • @wanderingturnip
      @wanderingturnip  Před měsícem +2

      I used to live in Chiswick interestingly, so I know exactly what you mean by expensive 😂

  • @andybaker2456
    @andybaker2456 Před 29 dny

    So sad to see Allders looking like that. My mum worked there for a large part of the 80s and loved it there. Not only do I have memories of the store before she even worked there, but I often used to go and see her there when she was working. Sadly, Mum passed away just over two years ago, she'd be heartbroken to see how it looks today.

  • @simonname7530
    @simonname7530 Před měsícem +1

    Used to head in from Bromley into Croydon for nights out, sad to see what it's become 😢

  • @rich12015
    @rich12015 Před měsícem

    Awesome for you to visit what used to be my club and pub grounds. There used to be so much life in Croydon with tons of clubs and bars to visit. So sad to see how it is now. I remember people say it was a s**t hole back then but now it really is with nothing there anymore. Restaurants come and go and most shops have gone and more ugly buildings get added.

  • @johanahernandez3750
    @johanahernandez3750 Před 24 dny

    I like your videos ❤well done to show the places differently 👍

  • @justgeneric2876
    @justgeneric2876 Před měsícem +3

    these councils need to give up on the westfield nonsense. If you already have plenty of stores a big shopping centre is unnecessary. Unlike a library etc. Croydon has plenty of nice real estate shame its not up for sale at a fair price or the town could be fully revived.

  • @gigteevee6118
    @gigteevee6118 Před měsícem +1

    Glad you got to see the IKEA chimneys, knew you’d love them. If you go into IKEA’s car park you can get right up to them! Worth a revisit.

  • @grantbanstead1971
    @grantbanstead1971 Před měsícem +4

    The Ikea "cooling towers" were the actually smoky chimneys of the giant coal power station that closed many years ago and became Ikea. The plane at Airport House and the Hotel next door were on the edge of the air field that was the first London Airport before it moved to a tent at Heathrow village. Croydon was Ground Zero for the Cold War because it was a major communications hub for the UK at the time. I never understood how Croydon Council could have recently gone bust. Hundreds of thousands of houses, flats, offices, businesses and yet ran out of money? mmmm.

    • @lbunnygordon1133
      @lbunnygordon1133 Před měsícem +1

      Corrupt same as tories stole all the money

    • @Lynnys1
      @Lynnys1 Před měsícem +2

      Part of the reason why it went bankrupt is the lack of funding by the Tory government. Pre-Stamer of course. Other similar areas received substantially more money but Croydon was basically punished as it is a Labour area. It also has a high number of people on benefits here that the local government has to provide for. Croydon also is a main area for housing unaccompanied immigrant minors and other councils also send people who need housing in their areas to Croydon but it does not receive enough money to provide the services adequately. There may be lots of houses and flats here as you say but there is so many more that are needed for the population and the council has not built much if any council housing for decades. So they use hotels and B&Bs and the cost just stacks up.

    • @grantbanstead1971
      @grantbanstead1971 Před měsícem +1

      @@Lynnys1 Fascinating. Where could they build more? It seemed pretty dense while I was there. I guess out by New Addington perhaps? I suppose it means yet more high rise flats. What about converting the Nestle building?

    • @Lynnys1
      @Lynnys1 Před měsícem +2

      @@grantbanstead1971 I think there’s definitely places where they could build, if they had the money and inclination. Yes it is a pretty densely populated borough but there are shops that have been closed literally for years that they could maybe look into purchasing and turning into housing. Lots of closed down pubs are in the borough, maybe look into those. Perhaps stop selling off land to developers who then create buildings with flats that are unaffordable to people who need housing at a reasonable rate. There is land around that has nothing on it and has been vacant for years that can be built on. I’m sure that there a number of solutions that can be explored if they wanted to do so. They either don’t have the will or the money or the ability to think creatively. That’s just my opinion of course! And I also think that in light of the Grenfell tragedy a high rise might not be the way to go.

  • @nikkic8673
    @nikkic8673 Před 26 dny

    Omg, I can't believe that the black sheep has turned into a shop 😢 I loved that place. It was iconic, everyone knew it

  • @lucythaxter6723
    @lucythaxter6723 Před měsícem +1

    I grew up 20mins away from Croydon and it used to be the place to shop when I was young. I'd go with my mum and with friends regularly. The high street was good when I was young, lots of high street names to pick from, two shopping centres, no empty shops. And to be honest I don't even remember people saying it was dodgy/ dangerous then, that was 20-15 years ago. Shame it's gone down hill.

  • @chandimagunaratne8220
    @chandimagunaratne8220 Před měsícem +1

    I miss all these old shops Alders, woolworth, peacock, MarkOne...Adams baby clothes, Dixsons, blockbuster, HMV and many more. Morrisons used to be safeways....wow...time flies

  • @jon7939
    @jon7939 Před měsícem +1

    Some beautiful brickwork on those cooling towers.

  • @user-fq3hl5fv6t
    @user-fq3hl5fv6t Před měsícem +3

    KING OF THE RONALDS

  • @GamingNewsSummary
    @GamingNewsSummary Před měsícem +2

    My home town, how nice...

  • @luton_gmanrock
    @luton_gmanrock Před měsícem +2

    You should check out my hometown of Luton. Makes Croydon look like Beverly Hills lol. Respect to ringovision and realfend for feeding the homeless.

  • @WildRover1964
    @WildRover1964 Před měsícem +2

    I lived there for a year in 1989 and used to shop there regulary in the late 90s. It was always a bit skanky . It coined the term "croydon facelift" for a certain kind of look. That really derelict shopping centre at the beginning was always a bit tired and neglected. A bit too far from the main shops to attract visitors. Why it's such a dump is a mystery because it was quite wealthy borough. Urban planning blighted the place in the 60s. Too much footprint is offices so once the workers have gone home there is no appetite for amenities. It was a great place to live at one point because it was cheap and had great access to London. I nearly bought there but glad I didn't.
    I paid it a visit last year and frankly felt rather uncomfortable.

  • @garryferrington811
    @garryferrington811 Před měsícem +1

    This is totally posh compared to West Terre Haute, Indiana. Our moving van broke down there: local police gave us a ride out for our own safety!

  • @chaxmax123
    @chaxmax123 Před 20 dny

    It has changed a lot from 2019, the last time I visited Croydon.

  • @BeatlemaccaAR
    @BeatlemaccaAR Před měsícem +3

    Yay! Apollo House!!

  • @carls2479
    @carls2479 Před měsícem +1

    Thank u from Croydon ❤

  • @smgreenartsprivate
    @smgreenartsprivate Před měsícem

    I follow a few accounts vloggers from Croydon so it isn't as bad as some places glad you got a tour from a local or two or three. People need to see past the negatives and see the positives. One would hope with over building of central London that Croydon will become the next metropolis and all of that will be a past memory. I will have a look at those channels for sure :) thank you David and friends :)

  • @keeganwebb7777
    @keeganwebb7777 Před měsícem +1

    That's CronxWatch! 😃

  • @searklarak
    @searklarak Před měsícem +2

    yesyes bruv what u saying fam u get me cous innit

  • @InvestgoldUK
    @InvestgoldUK Před měsícem

    Fascinating. I used to live in Brighton and enjoyed a pop up to Croydon as it seemed more real and had some fine Victorian architecture. A few nights at the Blue Orchid too and Allders was a great building. Looks disastrous now, but what a surprise, as the council seems to have caused a lot of it.

  • @beanzy9958
    @beanzy9958 Před 27 dny

    You forgot to mention that St George’s Walk was used as a Turkish market place in American Assassin.
    The BT building was the exterior of Gotham General in Tge Dark Knight Rises.
    The interior of Gotham General (reception area) was the green building by the church.
    ( you can see the 289 bus stop by the church in the film).
    And the 50p tower features heavily in the Black Mirror interactive special ‘Bandersnatch.
    Also the opening scene in the movie
    Velvet Goldmine.
    Where it says New York in the caption it’s actually Wellesley Road.
    Great vid though guys.

  • @thisisadebrown
    @thisisadebrown Před 23 dny

    Croydon was one of the most pivotal airfield in the Battle of Britain, it actually gets forgotten about. if you walked up the road you could actually go to the takeoff point that the Spitfire would’ve taken before they went into some of the most pivotal squadrons that still exist today were based at Croydon and into the fight.
    The Art Deco buildings are absolutely incredible and really quite beautiful and there is the oldest remaining control of its, going onto Wikipedia and look at all the famous pilots that Blue from there. Unfortunately, it was decided that Heathrow was going to take the president