£600,000 for London's high streets

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a £600,000 injection into revitalising 12 high streets in the capital, with each one to receive £50,000.

The mayor’s High Street Place Labs (HSPL) programme will help the twelve high streets attract investment, improve public spaces, and boost the local economy, driving progress on the ambitions outlined in the London Growth Plan. Supporting local high streets is a key action in the plan to ultimately turbocharge productivity across the capital and add more than £100 billion to London’s economy.

As 90 per cent of Londoners live within ten minutes of a high street, they play a vital role in people’s lives across the capital. Despite this, they have faced significant challenges in recent years, including the cost-of-living crisis, recovery from the pandemic, a long-term shift in working practices, and changes to shopping habits. 

This investment, therefore, will support councils transform high streets into vital community hubs through creating more affordable workspaces, particularly for creative and green industries, bringing empty shops and buildings back into use for local businesses and community organisations, designing and maintaining accessible and child-friendly high streets, and boost the night-time economy by ensuring the high streets are open and accessible for longer periods.

The 12 high street locations have have been awarded the HSPL funding are: North Finchley in Barnet, Barking Town Centre in Barking and Dagenham, Erith Town Centre in Bexley, West Ealing in Ealing, Edmonton Green in Enfield, Hayes in Hillingdon, Hounslow Town Centre, Finsbury Park in Islington, Surbiton Town Centre in Kingston upon Thames, Catford Town Centre in Lewisham, Mitcham Town Centre in Merton, and East Ham in Newham. This was awarded following an open call from the Greater London Authority to all 33 London local authorities to put forward their proposals.

Boroughs proposed a range of planning projects to rejuvenate their areas, such as Newham wanting to make East Ham High Street more attractive and walkable, with more opportunities for young people, and Islington aiming to boost its nighttime economy by creating a more inclusive nightlife scene. 

Deputy leader and executive member for inclusive economy, culture and jobs for Islington Council, councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford, said: “We’re proud that Finsbury Park has been selected as one of the mayor of Londo’s High Street Place Labs. This funding will help us take forward our ambition to create a high street that is more inclusive, accessible and thriving—a place where everyone feels welcome and where local businesses can flourish.

“Finsbury Park is one of Islington’s most diverse communities, home to a vibrant mix of cultures and many small and independent businesses. This investment supports our wider ambition to build a more equal Islington, and ensuring our high streets reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve is an important part of that goal.”