An arts movement has taken over an abandoned shop as part of Croydon’s economic recovery plan.
The Bigger Picture group of artists will use the shop, in Church Road, Crystal Palace, as an art gallery for their own and other artists’ works.
Roy Paterson, a 56-year-old artist and founding member of the group, said he had become sick of seeing shop after shop being shut down and boarded-up.
He said: “The shop front is beautiful, but had become derelict.
“We worked really hard cleaning it up and painting it and everyone loves seeing it brought back to life.”
The arrangement was organised by the Croydon Business division of the Croydon Economic Development Company.
The scheme is the latest of a number of initiatives in Croydon and other London boroughs to make use of empty space for the arts.
Amber Rusk, district centre manager for Croydon Business in Crystal Palace, said: “The artwork should improve the street scene while being beneficial to landlords, who will have a better chance of renting out their premises when they look clean and smart.”
The group’s agreement with the shop landlord could last up to six months.
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