At the end of October the council made the shock announcement that Fairfield Halls is set to remain closed into 2019 .

When it re-opens it will do so in stages, which begs the question as to why Labour rejected the  Conservatives’ idea of phasing the whole development to keep the venue alive throughout.

Cllr Helen Pollard, Croydon Conservatives’ culture spokesman, said “It is deeply disappointing that the opening has apparently been delayed. When the Halls were closed in summer 2016 the council said it would re-open in Spring 2018. Just like every other town centre project, it is now delayed, contributing to the run-down feeling the town now has.”