David Bowie bandstand to be restored to former glory
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A bandstand that David Bowie performed at in the 1960s will finally be fixed after a council agreed to put £250,000 into the famous stage.
Located in Croydon Road Recreation Ground, the original bandstand is said to date back to 1905.
The new plans will see the fence and metalwork of the park feature repaired, as well as updated paintwork that resembles the original design.
The stage has seen many performances over the years, including a show from Beckenham resident and Brixton-born Bowie in 1969 at the Growth Summer Festival.
The concert later inspired Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity festival, an annual event aimed at raising money for the restoration of the bandstand.
New features for the space include an updated roof, stage lighting and a new pathway made of personalised bricks bought by people in the area.
Each brick in the path includes a message from people who donated towards the restoration.
Councillor Peter Dean said the plans were “sympathetic” to the heritage of the landmark. Plans for the restoration were made with stakeholders and Purcell Architecture Limited.
The £250,000 for the project was raised from a mixture of community fundraising and contributions from Bromley council, and the Heritage of London Trust.
Cllr Aisha Cuthbert, portfolio holder for open spaces for Bromley council, said the restoration was a great “milestone” for the historic venue.
She said: “I want to thank everyone who has helped to support this project so far, including the Friends of the Park, those involved in the fundraising concerts, Heritage of London Trust, and everyone who bought a Bandstand Brick.”
The Beckenham bandstand became a Grade-II listed attraction in 2019 after advice from Historic England, a body celebrating historic landmarks of the country.
A Historic England spokesman said: “We are really pleased with this result and look forward to seeing this bandstand, which is culturally significant for its historic association with David Bowie, fully restored to its former glory.”
Work on the restoration is due to begin early next year, with the bandstand scheduled to be reopened by the summer.
Pictured top: An artist’s impression of the updated bandstand at Croydon Road Recreation Ground (Picture: Bromley council)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
