A welcoming mural has brightened up the dull frontage of Ambassador House.

Local designer Vân Dang worked with teenagers from Young Croydon after being selected to design the mural as part of the council’s regeneration of the forecourt.

She held a three-day workshop at the old Flora Sandes pub and worked with 12 young people from the area on ideas which were then transported on to the wall surrounding the empty office block. All those who took part in the painting got to sign the wall.

Part of the project also includes creating a garden next to the bus stop with steps up to the forecourt but the work has been put on hold while  repair work is carried out to the front wall. There are also plans to improve the lighting and provide a storage facility.

There have been a series of activities over the last two months to reactivate the space with fitness classes. The latest event aimed at young people – a free Performance-Parkour workshop clashed with Nottinghill Carnival so only a handful of people attended. There is still time to have a go at Parkour at Croydon’s Dance Festival  2019 on September 7 at the Brit School. It’s free but you need to book.