Having recently begun working for an architectural practise within
the colourful expanse of the South Croydon cafe and restaurant district, it was
only natural that I found myself spending cycle rides to and from work being
distracted by the animated streetscape and lunch times being occupied with
wondering the local area with colleagues in search of places to eat and drink.
Needless to say, it has not taken me long to decipher that what I am enjoying
most about the local area is the predominantly independent community that
exists here, both the people and businesses. The constant flow of vans
unloading their goods and buses unloading their people makes for an energetic
local urban environment helping the street front and internal elements blend
together into a welcoming urban theatre.
As well as a local convenience shop that sells Old Jamaica Ginger
Beer, owned by a shop keeper willing to discuss at length with me the flaws in
the England batting line up, I have more importantly discovered an amazingly
authentic Italian delicatessen. Nestled on the corner of the roundabout that
joins Croham Road and Selsdon Road this small deli houses all the character and
charm of Italy one can expect to find in the suburban plains of South Croydon,
and on a daily basis one can expect to peer in through the windows of
this cosy place and see the few tables that are available filled with
smiling faces and empty plates.
Upon entering the Deli one is immediately welcomed
by the immense wooden detailing of the interior from the floor and
furniture, to the trimming finishes that detail the endless
shelving filled with all kinds of tempting Italian style treats, such as
the panettones that are intriguingly hung from high flying wires. Yet with a
floor space of what can only be around 4m by 4m one could easily be forgiven
for passing by this place in order to find somewhere more spacious
or convenient. The reality is that the atmosphere created from this small
internal space is wonderfully familiar, you can comfortably take a seat and
enjoy a cup of strong coffee whilst being watched over by the library like
shelving and imagine you are back home sitting in your favourite arm chair. The
smells of roasting coffee and dressed olives are strong is the deli and I am
reminded of the rarity of effective small spaces like this one.
My experience with the architecture of this South Croydon Deli has
left me wondering what other small spaces lie primarily undiscovered in our
town, and I certainly know I will looking out a lot more closely for these
types of spaces in the future. I guess it shows you should never judge
a panettone by its box.
tW
