A new location has been announced for Matthews Yard.

Speaking exclusively to the Croydon Guardian, Saif Bonar, founder of the Yard said: "I am excited about what the future holds for Matthews Yard and relieved that a three year battle to safeguard it has not been completely fruitless."

The new location will be at 166 North End where the former Maplin premises on the corner of North End and Station Road, next to West Croydon train station. A seven year lease has been signed for the site.

The new premises will be operated on a non-profit basis with the primary aim of providing affordable and accessible space for the creative community to create and showcase their work.

The 300m2 premises occupies two floors and will include a cafe and bar on the ground floor and multi-function events space on the 1st floor.

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Leoni Descartes, founder of Matthews Yard added: "I am overjoyed with the love and support the people of Croydon have shown us for the past eight years and really looking forward to what the future holds in our new home at West Croydon and beyond.

Operating as a charity will help us ensure we can continue to meet the needs of the local creative community for many years to come."

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A fundraising drive to raise money towards the estimated £50,000 cost of relocation is underway and more than £6,500 has been raised from over 300 people and businesses so far.

All donations between £5,000 and £10,000 are also being match-funded by a generous local supporter who wishes to remain anonymous.

These donations will be added to the £3,800 which was raised when Matthews Yard was selected as a local cause by the Co-Op in 2018-19 and the £3,765 which was raised via a Crowdfunder campaign in April 2018, bringing the total raised to date to over £15,000.