Entrepreneur Barry Slayford hopes to make Croydon the ideas centre of the capital by opening a one-stop shop for would-be inventors.

The 62-year-old plans to provide specialist support in research, prototyping, patents and design when he launches The Invention Centre in South Norwood at the end of May.

Mr Slayford, the chairman of Croydon Round Table of Inventors, said the economic downturn had provided an opportunity for people to “get their thinking hats on” and start a viable business.

He said: “It’s a great time because you have got a lot of new ideas coming through.

“A lot of our CRTI members, and we’ve got about 450, come from all over the south east so we will be providing a real opportunity for inward investment in Croydon.

“London’s a major world capital and there are only three inventors clubs, and we are the only independent one so we have a lot of freedom about what we do.

“With the new overground rail link opening around the same time we can hopefully attract a lot of people in to Croydon.”

The official launch will feature a one-day invention exhibition where people can show off their creations for free, as well as advice on how to get projects and ideas off the ground.

Mr Slayford said: “There really is quite a lot to get your head around with inventing and most people don’t know how to go about doing it.

“Hopefully we can help people get their products off the ground and go forward with them.”