Thornton Heath artists are among the finalists shortlisted in a competition to reimagine Croydon’s subways which is now being put to the public vote before a final decision is made. 

The creation of a subterranean mushroom farm, colourful artwork celebrating the different nationalities that call Croydon home and the creation of a new music venue for local artists, are just some of the innovative ideas put forward.

The pedestrian subways, are a legacy of the radical redevelopment of Croydon in the 1960s  but new crossings are now replacing these unfriendly spaces, making them redundant but the project aims to bring them back in to use.

More than 40 proposals were submitted across three competition categories – professional, non-professional and under-18s – with 13 entries shortlisted by the judging panel.

Now judges want to hear from the public on which ideas they like best and why?

The shortlisted ideas also include  transforming a subway into a pop-up restaurant, underground cinema or running track; and the creation of an audio museum.

A public exhibition which details each of the proposals on hoardings outside Fairfield Halls and at the Central library .The public have until 23 February to submit their comments and the winning ideas will be announced on 27 February.

These two Thornton Heath artists were shortlisted in the professional category:

  • Clothing designer and photographer Wesley Baker, who is behind the label CDN, submitted a proposal for mural entitled ‘Croydon’s Talents’ which honours the many talented people of Croydon past, present.
  • Textile designer Samantha Warren long with fellow artist Danni Livett  put forward a series of murals of Croydon’s landmarks called ‘Scene in Croydon’.

In the non professional competition refugees who were in temporary accommodation at Brigstock House  from  Nicaragua, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Vietnam, with the help of the Thornton Heath Free Art project run by Van Dang  submitted a proposal called It’s a Beautiful World We Live In. 

To feedback on the proposals visit www.croydon.gov.uk/reimaginesubways