Since 2017 the Mayor of London has invested over £75m to support 79 innovative projects which help Londoners shape the future of their local communities.
Delivered in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), the Good Growth Fund seeks to make London fairer and more inclusive by strengthening civic networks at a local level, encouraging innovation, supporting great design and boosting local economies.
From new public spaces and cultural landmarks to affordable workspace, community hubs and support for our markets and high streets, the Good Growth Fund has backed forward thinking projects that have ensured communities share in the benefits of growth.
Our funding targeted need, with 40 percent going to initiatives in the top 20 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods, where more than 3.5m Londoners live.
So far, we have created or safeguarded more than 1600 jobs in local economies across London. We have improved more than 40,000sqm of public realm across the city, and have brought more than 30,000 sqm of commercial space into more productive use - with much more to come.
Here are a few projects that have recently opened their doors to Londoners:
1. North End Road - a street market refresh in Hammersmith and Fulham
With £2m support from the Good Growth Fund, Hammersmith and Fulham has invested £3.35m into North End Road Market to revitalise the historic market to create a thriving, sustainable and welcoming high street.
Carver Haggard have worked closely with the local community and traders to design a scheme that places the market at the heart of the community and supports future reliance by addressing ongoing challenges of online retail and changing customer demands. Improvements to the market infrastructure include level surface pitches with access to power, water and a secure locking system. E-cargo delivery bikes and a business business support package will support new and existing traders start and grow their business on the market, helping to diversify the local offer and attract new customers.
Improved public realm including ‘dwell spaces’ and widened pavements create more sociable and inclusive places for people to linger and rest. Located on a busy road, new planting along the road will improve air quality throughout the year and complement traffic calming measures that create a sociable, shopper focused layout that allows residents and visitors to explore the street in comfort.
2. The National Youth Theatre - world class cultural infrastructure for all
With £2m support from the Good Growth Fund the National Youth Theatre undertook a £4m transformation of their London home on Holloway Road. The redevelopment created a fully accessible creative production house that offers world class opportunities to young people where they can develop skills, build their creative practise and progress into employment. Outreach programmes are part funded by revenue generated by the rental of professional rehearsal spaces creating a culture of excellence and exchange where young people accessing skills and training can rehearse alongside industry professionals.
3. The Blue Bermondsey - community led regeneration
Award winning architects Takeshi Hayatsu and Assemble have worked the with local community to bring top quality design to the everyday public spaces of Bermondsey. The project has delivered a market square and landscape strategy that builds on what exists and utilises adaptively reused materials throughout.
Traders now have access to improved market storage and new electrical power points, with adaptable fixed stalls designed to provide cover for other uses, such as community events and arts festivals. In addition, local organisation Big Local Works based on the market now doubles up as a new hub model which enables centralised local management of the market and provides Blue Market traders with a point of contact. The hub also offers 'turn up on the day' and 'buy a day licences', toilet facilities and business support and training.
The project was delivered with community clients Blue Bermondsey Business Improvement District, Big Local Works and Community Opportunity. Southwark Council supported the community clients and managed the implementation of the main capital projects. The success of the project is much due to the community partnership and governance arrangements put in place.