Woolworths final fairwell in Croydon

Over the last week or so since it was first announced that Woollies was closing for good, the store has seen some of it's busiest times. Shelves would empty throughout the morning and in some cases, the store has closed early.

Today (Monday) has come the release of dates of the final openings for the stores. These are:

Central Croydon = 30th December
Addiscombe = 5th January
Caterham = 2nd January
Coulsdon = 2nd January
New Addington = 5th January
Selsdon = 2nd January
Sanderstead = 30th December
Upper Norwood = 2nd January
Wallington = 30th December
West Wickham = 30th December

We feel sorry for all the staff working through this difficult time and hope they find work in the near future. We also remember others who have been indirectly effected in Woolworths in Croydon including a distribution company and a entertainment company which due to woolworths going, they are also shutting their doors or laying off staff.

Woolworths and Croydon

Woolworths may of been founded in Liverpool but how many of you know that it's biggest success is right here in Croydon. The site of the Woolworth store in North End, Croydon was chosen by Frank Woolworth and was opened 4th May 1912.



Croydon Woolworths is the oldest store which is still operating in it's current location. Croydon has changed dramatically around what was the original store as has the store itself by expanding into what was originally a cinema in 1929 and into the Whitgift centre in 1969.

Over the last few years Woolworths has been slowly suffering like a cancer. In the last 24 hours, it doesn't look to good and like a trip to the doctor which you are trying to put off as long as you can, it looks like it is about to get the news everyone dreads. Not good for the staff just before Christmas and for all those suppliers who may not get paid, but the signs have been there for some time and like it or not, it can't really blame the current slow down if it does go under.

Yes it would be a shame to see another original store disappear off our high street but at the same time, it could also cause havoc to other areas like Hamsey Green, New addington and Selsdon as Woolworths there pull in customers for all the community.

Picture - Croydon woolworths shop floor in Spring 1914 - visit Woolworth Museum

Is Microsoft's Bizsparks right for start up businesses

Microsoft have launched a new incentive to help start up businesses. According to the news item on BBC, Microsoft want to work with organisations and governments around the world to offer businesses with an income under $1 million to use their software without charge.

However, as your business grows and makes profit, once your business has been operating for three years, taken over of surpassed the revenue cut off, you will owe Microsoft a fee and then be charged the normal fee's.

Bizspark, is only available to start up businesses who are selected by venture capital group or one of Microsoft's champions. Ok, it will give you access to Microsoft's development software and cloud but we feel that many start ups can benefit from the wide range of FREE resources already available.

Openoffice3 is a free download and provides you with everything you need to operate your day to day business. It is more powerful and has more tools than any of the Microsoft office programs plus it is fully compatible. For instance, you can create a "write" document in openoffice3 - save it as a pdf at a click of a button, plus you can choose which other format to save it as so if you are e-mailing to someone using word, they too can open it without any issues.

Another major advantage is it can open documents from any Microsoft format both present and past. That's something not even Microsoft software can do. An example is you have office 2007 and you save a excel file. You send it to someone who has office2000. They will not be able to open it. In openoffice, that is not an issue.



To get the full enjoyment download openoffice3 at: Openoffice organisation website

Maximise your office environment

I spend a lot of time visiting clients at there offices and one thing that stands out is how many are taking the full advantage of their space. For example, a company I recently visited had around 12 staff and what I call a medium sized office but it was very cramped and busy due to the fact that most of the staff had full sized desks.

Having an office space which is welcoming and inviting is a must if you are expecting guests or potential clients. There are a number of things you can look at:

Desk usage - Do your staff need full sized desks or could they work at workstations? Do they really need to work from the office all of the time? Are the desks an extension to ones filing system.

Storage - Again, do all staff need pedestals under each desk, have you got the right filing cabinets or storage systems. In the day of technology, do you need to print everything off to keep in a file to collect dust.

A good office should be un-cluttered, clean and have space to let people get around without bumping into everything or other staff. A little thought to your office environment can go a long way and believe me, your staff will enjoy being their more as well.

Events for Croydon Businesses

November has lots of oppotunities for Businesses in Croydon, South london. Networking or face to face marketing as some prefer to call it is a powerful tool to market your business while keeping in contact with existing clients. Croydon has lots of groups meeting in November including BNI, BRE, Business for Breakfast, Venture Catalyst, Givers Gain, 4networking, Croydon Chambers of Commerce, Croydon Business to name a few.

November also see's the return of Croydon Enterprise week (Monday 17th to 23rd November) which includes workshops, seminars, talks and networking events. The week finishes off with the womans day conference with guest speaker Shάά Wasmund, a top entrepuner.

Many of the workshops are either free or a fairly priced and as a business can benefit from them in a wide range of ways. Prepare yourself as you WILL meet like minded people who you could end up doing business with. Carry lots of business cards and a pen to make notes.

For further information on networking events, workshops, exhibitions or just social events for business, visit All about Croydon Business Events

Croydon Leadership

Croydon has a number of key leadership figures. Some I would take my hat off too as they are doing a great job with little or no support or gratitude. There are however some others who you really need to question.

Early part of this week, I was invited to an event in Croydon. It was geared up that lots of people would be there and it would be good for businesses and residents. I must admit, I only stayed for the first hour but it became very clear even in that short time, no one was actually attending.

Recently, we learnt that Marc Gore, Croydon's top Policeman has moved on due to rules governing him on his training. There are some that will not be too sad to see him go and yet there will also be those who will be sad at his lost to the Croydon Community.

And it is that is the issue. Croydon has has hundreds of thousands of residents and untold number of workers commuting into Croydon. There is room for change and there are those who will be good at it but how many of you will actually come forward and get involved.

The main point is. There are many people who love to Moan and drop comments on what they would do if they had a chance but they never get involved in making decisions. Then there are those who get so rapped up in something because they cannot see both sides of the story for one reason or another. It is all well and good about being passionate about something but you still may not be a good leader. You need to climb down of the high horse and let others around you who care just as much as you may but can help as a team to build better leadership

Croydon 2020 - Take a look into the future

Croydon has been the talk of re-development for decades but now there does seem to be something actually happening. In 2010, Croydon will be applying to become a city again and this time after loosing out twice before.

Croydon in the next 10+ years will see (if the plans and schedules are kept too) the biggest change to the sky line since the 1950's. A mixture of new offices, Leisure facilities, Road networks, Public Transport, Housing and retail outlets are already either in the planning stages or will start work soon.

With all of this in mind, All about Croydon has taken the decision to create a sister site to bring together all of the new re-development plans for the future. The new site ( http://www.croydon2020.com )is being completed over the next few days and will include pictures and descriptions of the plans, a forum, news and events so you can get involved plus lots more.

The new website is not completed as yet but we welcome your comments on what else you would like to see.

Croydon Credit Crunch Exhibition

Croydon, South London is holding an Exhibition for businesses and residents to learn from workshops and meet businesses that could help them to beat the credit crunch. The event is taking place at Croydon Town hall on Monday 29th October from 1.30pm.

There are two sessions in the day - you can come to one or both, or drop in when you want. It is half term week, and we expect a wide ranging audience. There is no need for delegates to book beforehand, but it would be good to know if you or colleagues are coming, so that we can cater for numbers. However, if you would like to exhibit, please do contact me, or the office, on the numbers below for details.

For further details, or to book exhibition space (rates from £50 for SMEs) Contact Business SENSE on 020 8653 9589 or email: info@senseorg.com.

Re-development

First of all, after a period of time to take reflection, the All about Croydon blog is back. This time round, we are only going to cover business issues in and around croydon.

We start off with something everyone else has talked about over the last few weeks which is this gateway project. In September, this project goes up to government level which should delay things for a few more months all because two different develpers want to do two different things. Does Croydon really need a new arena.

In my personal view, I haven't really made my mind up. Yes it would be great to create new jobs for local people plus more people from outside the area visiting but on the downside, our transport systems will probally collaps under the pressure. Mayor Ken will try and wingle his way into it somehow and lastly, Take a look at how many people visit Croydon for the day by working here. They don't hang around afterwards, they go back from were they come from so why should it be any different from having the arena.

While on the subject of Re-devolpment, we have heard that the Park Place project is being also delayed. After the big push by Croydon Council to issue a CPO on traders in St. Georges Walk etc, it looks like works won't start to 2008. That means another dead area of our town for another six months. Well Done to all involved!

Network Croydon

Ok, this is like a bus, nothing for ages and then two come along at the same time.

Next Wednesday is the launch of something that I am involved in. We have called it Network Croydon and it is a great new organisation for small to medium businesses who trade within the borough of Croydon.

We have decieded that membership will be FREE and only charge a small amount for our events. We have also decieded not to charge a different fee for non-members either.

The first meeting takes place on Wednesday 25th (next week) at Croydon Town Hall and we are really pleased that Michael Douglas from The Business Experience will be our guest speaker.

For further information, visit Network Croydon