Dozen London high streets to get £50,000 each

Alamy Erith town centre shows Coral betting shop (left) and black-clad flats (centre)Alamy
Erith in Bexley will receive one of the grants

London's high streets will receive a £600,000 investment from City Hall as part of an economic growth initiative, the mayor of London has said.

Twelve town centres will each receive £50,000 as part of the High Street Place Labs (HSPL) programme, which Sir Sadiq Khan said would drive "inclusive economic growth" and support the London Growth Plan.

He added: "I look forward to working with boroughs to deliver these important improvements for communities across the capital as we continue to build a fairer and more prosperous London for all."

The plan also seeks to boost productivity and add over £100bn to the capital's economy.

Getty Images A blue mural with the word 'Catford' behind a woman walking past and a traffic enforcement cameras and no right turn signGetty Images
Catford in south-east London is one of the places receiving funding

Sir Sadiq added that he was determined to "protect, restore and improve London's high streets".

He added the funding would "deliver economic growth in every corner of our city".

The £600,000 comes from the Mayor of London and the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

The towns to receive money (and the borough) are:

  • North Finchley (Barnet)
  • Barking town centre (Barking & Dagenham)
  • Erith town centre (Bexley)
  • West Ealing (Ealing)
  • Edmonton Green (Enfield)
  • Hayes (Hillingdon)
  • Hounslow town centre (Hounslow)
  • Finsbury Park (Islington)
  • Surbiton town centre (Kingston Upon Thames)
  • Catford town centre (Lewisham)
  • Mitcham town centre (Merton)
  • East Ham (Newham)

The investment will be used to help councils develop and create affordable workplaces, bring empty shops and buildings back into use, and make high streets more accessible for children and those with mobility issues.

Improving the evening and night-time economy is also another aim.

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