£17M RECOVERY FUND Revitalising our high streets and town centres

A £17million Recovery Fund is one of the ways the council is helping local communities and businesses bounce back even stronger from the pandemic.

The new money from the council is focused on tackling three of the most pressing issues of our day: inequality, poverty, and the climate and ecological emergency.

Of the total package of measures, which include 33 projects in total, £6.4million is going towards vital town centre improvements. The worn pavements in Wembley High Road are getting a makeover, followed by new lighting, greenery, public art and seating areas. It promises to be in ship shape for an exciting summer of events to get more people on our high streets.

On Church Road, more trees will be planted and pavements widened to make the streets more attractive. Separately 99 new genuinely affordable homes are being built in Church Road along with a new youth hub, pocket park and café for local people to enjoy.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said: “We are determined to build back better from the pandemic and for our town centres to become vibrant, attractive and inclusive spaces that residents can be proud of.”

Visit www.brent.gov.uk/highstreets to learn more.

How the £17m Recovery Fund is making a difference:

£10.3million

Is going towards helping local people back into work, as well as keeping financially squeezed traders in business with grants, marketing support and high street improvements

£943,000

Will go towards improving the borough’s health, including through tackling childhood obesity and tooth decay, and providing more tailored mental health support

£4.4million £183,000

Is supporting the green recovery, with plans including making council buildings more eco-friendly and freshening up our streets by patching potholes, improving footpaths, reducing waste £17m and decluttering pavements £1.6million Will support education recovery for young people who have missed out on face-to-face learning, and scale up support for children and their families

Will make communities safer by installing knife bins and new security cameras, and providing bespoke training to prevent reoffending £168,000 Will go to Black Community Action Plan projects, aimed at encouraging and empowering black entrepreneurs

Eco-friendly injection patching vehicles can fill 60 potholes a day