LIGHTING displays, a rooftop bar on a car park, temporary restaurants and a brewery in the historic pumping station.....
These are among the suggestions to make Old Town a "cultural destination for Croydon and beyond" alongside the Whitgift Centre revamp.
A draft masterplan for the area, largely west of North End down to Wandle Park, is to be discussed by Croydon Council's cabinet on Monday. If approved after formal consultation with the public, it will stand as planning guidance.
Planners hope to make the area easier to get around, add restaurants, shops and playgrounds and make more of its heritage, such as Croydon Minster and the grade II listed Surrey Street Pumping Station.
The plan focuses on small-scale changes such as improving shop fronts, gating the yards around Surrey Street, adding cycle routes and untangling one-way systems.
But it also sets out possible sites for new homes, including the northern end of Cairo New Road, Reeves Corner and the area around Croydon Minster and Scarbrook Road. Converting or demolishing Ryland House in Church Road is also suggested.
The urban planners commissioned by the council say: "Old Town will be Croydon's thriving historic heart, with a flourishing independent business community and attractive neighbourhoods."
Coloured lighting is proposed to make people feel safer walking through underpasses such as at Cairo New Road, and to highlight historic buildings such as Croydon Minster.
Planners say the pumping station, in Exchange Square, should be opened to the public, adding that popular proposed uses include "an artisan bakery, microbrewery or coffee roastery."
A rooftop bar or film screenings are suggested for Q-Park car park in Charles Street. The NHS building at the Reeves Corner end of Tamworth Road is suggested for a new primary school in the long-term.
The plans have been put together by the council in consultation with others including the Croydon Old Town Business Association and House of Reeves.
Cllr Jason Perry, cabinet member for planning, transport and regeneration, said: "Old Town is the historic heart of Croydon and the council and community are extremely proud of this rich cultural heritage. It is also a successful market and retail area and home to approximately 1,800 people.
"We want the regeneration of the town centre to breathe new life into Old Town, to improve its connections to the rest of the town centre and ensure it continues to develop as a thriving historic quarter, bustling with activity."
Public consultation on the draft masterplan begins next month. Details of consultation events will be published in advance.
