Croydon’s outstanding market traders are to be honoured at the Good Stall Awards on St George’s Day.

The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Graham Bass, will preside over the awards - a patron saints day tradition at historic Surrey Street Market, which has been serving Croydon since 1276.

This year’s awards follow 48 hours after a special St George’s Day-themed event being held to showcase the best of Croydon’s Old Town area, as part of the Croydon Recovery Project.

The Mayor will arrive at the Surrey Street Market for the awards at noon on Monday, April 23, where he will be introduced to traders’ representative Rosanna Lovett before being led by a one-man band who will perform old-fashioned English tunes.

The Mayor will then be invited to pull a pint in the Dog and Bull public house, continuing a tradition started by Prince Charles when he visited in November 1994.

Fiona Woodcock, Surrey Street Markets inspector, said: “The Good Stall Awards are important in helping to maintain good trading practices by Surrey Street market traders.

“The mayor’s annual St George’s Day visit is always warmly welcomed by customers and traders alike.

“Traders that receive the awards are proud to display their certificates as it indicates a well-run business.”

The Croydon Recovery Campaign is being delivered on Croydon Council’s behalf by Croydon Business Improvement District (BID), the company which represents, and is funded by, Town Centre businesses.