On 17th October 2017, the Mayor watched as a new Electric Avenue illuminated sign was switched on for the first time, and Eddy Grant performed the iconic song.
The event marked a celebration of the cultural and economic value of Brixton town centre, and specifically the market on Electric Avenue. The area is currently receiving significant investment from City Hall. Gavin McLaughlin from the Mayor's Regeneration team explains more...
This project is part of the £9m Mayor's High Street Fund, which is ongoing. Receiving £869,000, Brixton was the largest recipient of the High Street Fund. The refurbishment of Electric Avenue is part of a wide-ranging package of innovative ways that businesses and the high street there are being supported, and also helps Lambeth Council’s overall regeneration strategy for the town centre.
The High Street Fund in Brixton concentrates on measures that support existing local businesses, helping them to maximise their sustainability in a changing trading environment. The Mayor’s public appearance with Eddy Grant showed his continued commitment to SMEs and street traders, and his desire to support the diversity and value of London’s cultural and business communities.
Regeneration can allow existing businesses to develop and benefit from change. The street improvements celebrated at this event will be followed by wider improvements to the public realm in the area in the coming months.
The street and market improvements are part of a strategic, long-term plan for Brixton that has been developed by Lambeth Council. They are aiming to create a vibrant, dynamic town centre that nurtures local trade and diversifies the town centre offer.
Visitors and local people can now enjoy:
- the resurfacing and decluttering of the whole of Electric Avenue
- interventions to improve the day to day function of the market including new power and water supplies for the traders, enabling traders to accept electronic payment.
- the new illuminated Electric Avenue sign
- new, safer and larger market gazebos for the market traders
- a Brixton £ cash machine (the first of its kind), increasing access to the popular local currency, which in turn supports the local supply chain.
Upcoming phases include:
- continuation of the public realm improvements to Popes Road and Brixton Station Road
- the Heritage Lottery funded refurbishment of a number of the historic shopfronts on Electric Avenue