South Norwood tipped as up and coming 'property hotspot'

But, shops on the high street keep shutting down.

With its quick connections into central London, more affordable homes and variety of green spaces, South Norwood is popular with young people and families looking for somewhere cheaper to live.

Locals in South Norwood say it has improved in the past decade, but want to see more investment, particularly on the High Street.

Many said the area needs a better range of shops and businesses to keep people in South Norwood.

Ilir ‘Bobby’ Dreshaj has lived in South Norwood for more than 20 years and has run Yeha Noha Cafe for the past 10. 

Ilir Dreshaj who runs Yeha Noha wants to see more investment in South Norwood High Street (Image: Tara O'Connor)

He said it has a ‘village feeling’: “From 2015-17 there was a huge change in South Norwood and they had a plan to do a regeneration but that stopped for some reason.

“I think that could have a huge impact on the area, I think the High Street should be the target because it is the heart of South Norwood.

"I want to see everything: more shops and a bank. We used to have three or four but they are all gone.

“As a resident there isn’t much on offer for people to stay in the area. Business owners won’t invest if they don’t think it will be worth it. We need more variety.”

Darren Awol, 38, from CariVegan in Selhurst Road grew up in South Norwood and now lives in Sidcup.

He said new people moving into the area has been good – but thinks more can be done to spruce it up.

He said: “People have been pushed from Clapham to Tulse Hill to Crystal Palace and down the hill to South Norwood.

"I don’t think it’s been a bad thing for the area but I would like to see more investment and for the council to tidy up.

"Who would’ve thought there would be a vegan place in South Norwood right next door to a kebab shop?”

A few doors down is the Craft Beer Cabin, which opened four years ago.

Manager Sam Simpson, 32, said: “We’ve got a mix of people who have been coming in since we first opened four years ago and every other week there will be a new young couple or young family coming in.

“We’ve got a nice crowd and a nice community down this end of the high street, the bulk of our customers know each other and there is a nice atmosphere.”

Wafa Kader, 52, has run Clocktower Fruit and Veg near the station for 12 years.

He said: “When I first came there was people on drugs in the street now it is fantastic. I like South Norwood, there is a nice community and no trouble, everyone is friendly.”

South Norwood was originally developed as a stopping point on the Croydon Canal, which opened in 1809.

A later railway expansion led to the creation of new housing and by 1870 the High Street was thriving.

Local inventor William Stanley ran a factory nearby, funded educational projects and left his estate to local schools and students.

He designed and built the Grade II listed Stanley Halls, now a popular arts and community centre.

In January, it was announced that the High Street, which has fallen into disrepair, would benefit from £1.1milllion of investment as part of Historic England’s government-funded High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.

Local estate agent Vipin Nayyar, from Benson and Partners, said South Norwood has become more popular in the past 10 years with city workers who can get to London Bridge in 12 minutes on the train and have the option of Thameslink and London Overground services.

He said: “We’ve seen a lot of change in this area over the years, it is quite different.

"I think we need better shops, that is the thing that lets down the area, there are empty shops.

"A lot of tenants we’ve got round here tend to socialise up in the city, and quite a lot of people socialise in Crystal Palace where there are a lot of bars and restaurants.”

Amalia Renny, 79, who moved to the area in 2005 also wants to see more of the empty shops taken on.

She said: “A lot of the shops are closed down and when they open they don’t stay open very long. They can’t manage the rents, I think there should be more support for business people.

“I think it would be nice if there was more stuff for young people growing up here and something for teenagers to do.”

Nicola, 50, who lives in nearby Anerley said she used to avoid coming to South Norwood but said it is “much better” now with a “nice atmosphere”.

A 20-year-old man, who asked not to be named, said he feels safer in South Norwood now than he did growing up in the area but would like to move somewhere else with his daughter.

Properties in South Norwood had went for an average price of £393,829 over i the past year. A two-bedroom flat will set you back around £1,500 a month.

Local councillor Louis Carserides, who was brought up in South Norwood said the best thing about the area is the people.

He said: “I have very fond memories of the area and I am proud to still live here. Labour, when in power, secured millions in funding to help regenerate South Norwood – from Socco Cheta to Stanley Arts, from Station Road to the market. But South Norwood’s best asset is its people.

“There is a real community feel to the area and a deep sense of pride. People passionately care about making South Norwood the best place it can be.

"We have fantastic independent local businesses, beautiful green spaces like South Norwood Lakes and very active community groups.”