One of Britain’s oldest street markets has been immortalised in a new 18m piece of artwork.
Surrey Street Market in Croydon has been standing since 1276 and operates six days a week.
Commissioned by Croydon Council as a part of the wider ‘Culture Croydon’ movement, Vic Lee created a piece of artwork celebrating the market’s 750 years and showing its importance in the wider community.
Vic Lee said: “I was amazed how long the market was there for and what it has persevered.
“It truly goes to show the importance of community and how much locals need a place to not only shop, but to gather, chat and gossip.”
The mural stands at an impressive 18m and shares many anecdotes about Croydon and the market, with some being more well-known than others.
For instance, the piece of art shares the story of King (Prince at the time) Charles’ visit in 1994 where he met local stall-holders and spoke with market and council figures.
Alongside this, it also has mentions to the Walnut Fair, tributes to the railway and the nicknames of some stall-owners towards the top of the piece.
Vic Lee said: “My favourite part of the piece is probably the story of the elephant breaking free of the menagerie and wandering through the streets in the early hours.
“I mean there must have been people around watching this huge beast plodding through the street, and the fact it walked so far is crazy.”
He is referring to an incident in 1900 where an elephant escaped from Crystal Palace and travelled all the way through to Beckenham and Bromley where it was eventually found sleeping in the wood of Bromley Common at midday.
The piece was unveiled on September 11 and will remain in the heart of Croydon until January 31. It is located on Croydon High Street nearby the market it is attributed to.
The mural also coincides with a seven-metre decorative gateway featuring branding by Bob Design and Croydon School of Art students, part of a larger £4.4 million project revitalising the market.
This piece is one of several events and tributes to the area through ‘Culture Croydon’ put on by their council with the aim to share the diversity and community spirit that exists.
Vic Lee said: “I think it captures the heart of Croydon, the community, people, different cultures and pride of the town.
“Surrey Street is a hub, a place to meet old friends and new and to chinwag, gossip, laugh and tell a tale, that’s what this mural is.”
The piece adds to an already colourful and vibrant area where many locals stop and go down memory lane or learn more about their town.
Vic Lee said: “I was told by someone from Croydon Council, she walked past the mural at 6:30pm, and saw a chap reading the stories.
“They got talking and he said he had been there for 40 minutes, reading, looking totally engrossed with the mural, that’s a win for me.”
The south-London based artist has worked with many other huge brands such as McLaren Racing, Pokemon and Virgin Voyages with this piece following his unique style of being created with a pen in exclusively black and white.
Feature Image Credit: Paul Marsden
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