The South London Coroners’ Court could soon be relocated to Croydon Council’s headquarters, as the current site is deemed “out of date and not fit for purpose,” the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal. The building housing the court is owned by Croydon but has been on sale as part of the council’s asset disposal list since 2023.
The South London Coroners’ Court investigates deaths reported in the boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, and Bexley. Located on the second floor of the Davis House office block, it handles deaths that are violent, sudden, unnatural, or of unknown cause, including those occurring in state custody.
Following scrutiny of council documents, the LDRS can reveal that Croydon Council plans to relocate the court to its headquarters at Bernard Weatherill House — directly behind Davis House — later this year.
A Croydon Council spokesperson told the LDRS: “The move will ensure value for money for Croydon residents, as the purpose-built space will replace the current Coroner Court in Davis House, which is out of date and not fit for purpose.”
The council is currently conducting feasibility studies to evaluate the proposed move. According to the council’s 2025–31 capital programme, Croydon has allocated £255,000 for preparatory works on the relocation in 2025/26.
The relocation cost will be split between the four partnering boroughs, according to population size. Of the £255,000 allocated for preparatory costs, £191,000 is expected to be funded by the other three boroughs.
For 2026/27, Croydon has set aside £4.305 million for relocation costs, with £3.229 million expected to come from partner contributions.
Davis House was purchased by the council in 2008 for £19 million. However, it was put back on the market in 2023 as part of Croydon’s Asset Disposal and Property Transformation Programme.
The programme has seen the council sell car parks, buildings, and other assets to address its £1.4 billion debt burden. Davis House was originally scheduled for sale in 2025-26, but budget scrutiny reports show the sale has been paused to explore “new options” that better reflect current market conditions and the council’s operational needs.
The pause means Croydon’s capital receipts for 2025-26 are now “substantially less than anticipated.”
The council spokesperson added: “With the current financial pressures on the council, it is vital that the use of council-owned properties is optimised. Davis House is part of our Asset Disposal and Property Transformation Programme, and the future disposal of part or all of it is currently under consideration.”
Alongside the court relocation, the council is reviewing mortuary services in the borough. Croydon’s mortuary facilities, primarily managed by Croydon University Hospital NHS Trust, provide secure, climate-controlled storage and handle forensic and post-mortem care.
A spokesperson told the LDRS: “We are working with our NHS partners to review the statutory mortuary service and aim to have recommendations ready this summer.” Croydon has allocated £150,000 for this review in 2025-26 and £100,000 in 2026-27.
