By the Warmth of the Refrigerator Light

In this short piece of literature I wish to draw attention to a piece of architecture, not by merit of its outward aesthetic nor of its intriguing form of which it has neither, but because of its functional position it holds within Croydon.

I am of course referring to the Mediterranean Food Centre II, and of course I expect only a small fraction of people to have knowledge of where this social pillar of a business is situated. Allow me to enlighten. As you make your journey through the chaotic flow of Surrey St Market, limbs of colourful stalls and air flaked with mysterious scent one quite often fails to observe the shop fronts hidden behind this temporary daily facade of the market. Only during the evening hours and into the night can one begin to gain an idea of the kind of goings on that operate within these walls.

During the early hours of the night when the majority of Surrey Street's operations are static, like a gentle beacon the artificial refrigerator lights of the Mediterranean Food Centre II reach out onto the tough surface of Surrey St, guiding the people of Croydon to a place to buy that much needed extra packet of rizla or can of redbull. Whilst most of the town has turned its back on the populace of Croydon by this time, leaving the operations of the night to the pub-landlords and bouncers, this small business continues to operate providing the hungry, gasping and tired of some escape. There is no denying that this place is no Guggenheim or Sydney Opera House but the function of the business is solid and many a time I have visited this place between pubs and bus stops, and no matter how many times I continue to visit I can safely say I will never tire from the pleasure of seeing the glow of the Mediterranean Food Centre II sign.

tW