Council focus on luring government offices to Croydon (From Croydon Guardian)

Council focus on luring government offices to Croydon

7:40am Friday 13th May 2011 in News By Kirsty Whalley

Croydon has been shortlisted as a prime spot for the Government to relocate some of its departments and agencies from central London.

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell was part of a delegation, which included London Mayor Boris Johnson, council leader Mike Fisher and chief executive Jon Rouse, who met Cabinet Minister Frances Maude to discuss the plans on Monday.

He said: “We had a very positive meeting and we are in the shortlist for locations.”

Coun Fisher said the council is already in discussions with one or two Government agencies considering a move to Croydon. He expected there to be more interest over the next few years as the Government looked to get out of leases for the 80 buildings it rented in central London.

He said: “We are grateful Boris came along to lend his support to the idea that Croydon is ideal to relocate Government offices.

“Croydon is only 15 minutes from the centre of London by train and we have excellent public transport.

“This is a good economy boost for the town and there is a potential for jobs locally.

“It would boost Croydon as one of the major economic hubs in London and confirm our position as the economic powerhouse of south London.”

Mr Barwell said cheaper rates and rents as well as its excellent public transport links made Croydon a very attractive option for Government to relocate some of its jobs.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Government had already saved more than £50m by relocating some Government jobs outside of Westminster.

The move could help persuade Nestle, Croydon’s biggest private employer, to stay in the borough following last year’s announcement it was looking to move its headquarters elsewhere.