Street parties to help Croydon regeneration, says mayoral candidate (From Your Local Guardian)

Street parties to help Croydon regeneration, says mayoral candidate

8:10am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Croydon

Street parties and more attendance at council meetings could bring regeneration to Croydon, according to London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick.

The former police commander for Lambeth was visiting Croydon as part of his election campaign.

He accompanied Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on a tour around the House of Reeves furniture store site, burnt down during the August riots last year.

The 53-year-old, who was born in Sutton, said he often visited as a child and wanted to see the town reach its potential.

He said: “I know what it can and could be.

“I think the people of Croydon have got to show that they really want Croydon to be as great as it once was.

“Let’s get a movement going. Let’s get some change going.

“Let’s have street parties or people attending meetings to show support for regeneration and city status.

“That is what politicians pay attention to.

“When they see a large number of people are in favour of something, that is when politicians sit up and take notice.”

Mr Paddick was the Liberal Democrat candidate at the last London Mayoral elections in 2008, coming third behind Ken Livingstone and current London Mayor Boris Johnson.