Croydon could be the new Shoreditch of the tech industry, an event heard.

Deputy mayor of London for business, Rajesh Agrawal, visited more than 100 representatives from SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) on Wednesday afternoon (February 27).

The Croydon Means Business event at Croydon College marked the end of a year long campaign to support SMEs in the borough.

Mr Agrawal said: “Who would have though 10 years ago Croydon would be where it is today.

“I can see already in tech Croydon is ready to take on Shoreditch.”

He described a ‘great buzz’ after he spent the morning meeting businesses in Croydon.

Cllr Manju Shahul-Hameed, cabinet member for economy and jobs, said that Croydon is now becoming a place that national and international businesses are interested in.

“We have had a number of delegations visiting from China – That is a way we are promoting Croydon to international business,” she said.

“We have 14,000 businesses in Croydon and SMEs are a the part of the community that create more jobs that any other organisation, we want to support them to make sure they thrive.”

She said plans for a university in Croydon is one way the council wants to keep young people in the borough, adding that she wants people to be employed in the borough and not need to travel elsewhere for work.

This was echoed by council leader Tony Newman who said he did not want to see Croydon become a dormitory town.

Cllr Newman said: “Croydon is a 21st century sustainable city on the edge of London.

“We are a growth borough – There are cranes appearing on every street corner.

“Croydon is success story but like any borough we are facing the challenges of Brexit uncertainty.

“10 years ago people were talking about Croydon becoming dormitory town.

“We saw Nestle leave the borough nut now we are seeing many businesses coming to Croydon.”