Residents have criticised Croydon’s decision to pull out of London’s Open House weekend, saying the borough has missed out on a chance to rebuild its reputation after the riots.
More than 750 buildings across the capital will open their doors tomorrow and Sunday for the annual event, which showcases architecture to the public free.
But Croydon council has pulled out of the event, saying budget cuts mean it cannot afford the £4,000 fee.
Jeni Hoskin, project manager of Open House London, said Croydon residents had bombarded her with phone calls, with some saying the event could have helped the borough’s reputation.
Croydon was one of the main flashpoints for the riots last summer. Buildings were looted and set on fire, including furniture shop House of Reeves, which was burned to the ground.
Ms Hoskin said: “Croydon is trying to put itself on the map so it’s missing an opportunity.”
She said the fee each local authority pays is the main source of funding for curating and marketing the event. The council’s decision means Whitgift Almshouses in North End will not be open but Shirley windmill and Airport House — one of the first purpose-built airport terminals in the world — will invite the public in after volunteers stepped into the breach.
A Croydon council spokesman said: “It’s a case of reviewing council spending and looking at budgets very closely. This area was seen as not being a priority.”
