Transformation

In 2012, the Green Lanes Strategy Group was awarded £2m from the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund which transformed the high street… and unlike any other London wide Council backed projects, this one came from the local community!

In 2002, a tragic incident shook the Green Lanes community, prompting the formation of the Green Lanes Strategy Group (GLSG). This group's primary mission was to tackle crime and safety and to uplift the overall well-being of the high street and its local community. Leading this collaborative effort was Cllr Nilgun Canver, the Cabinet member for Community Safety, who worked closely with ward councillors, key stakeholders, including Metropolitan Police, local residents and traders, to instigate positive change.

Over the next seven years, the GLSG invested considerable time and energy, convening monthly meetings that culminated in the creation of the Green Lanes Food Festival in 2009. This festival marked a pivotal moment in the Green Lanes journey, uniting the community as traffic came to a standstill, and people partook in a historically-themed celebration. This event featured children's activities, enticing food stalls, and live music along the street. The festival's resounding success served as a testament to the Strategy Group's dedicated efforts, igniting their enthusiasm to explore opportunities for its repetition.

In 2011, the Mayor of London introduced the Outer London Fund (OLF), providing financial support for rejuvenating high streets and town centres in outer boroughs that often received limited funding for such projects. Encouraged by this new funding avenue, numerous trader groups and associations from Haringey submitted applications with the support of the Council's economic regeneration team. Among these applicants, Green Lanes and Muswell Hill secured funding for their respective projects, including the second Food Festival and the inaugural Winter Festival in 2011.

Having successfully executed their round one project, the Green Lanes group was then invited to apply for the more substantial capital funding available in the second round, potentially granting them up to £2 million of regeneration. To present their proposal, Green Lanes put together a visually striking printed and bound album, accompanied by a meticulously crafted architectural model adorned with illuminating lights, showcasing their visionary plans for the high street. This submission was personally delivered to Design for London, at the time located in the distinctive Palestra building on Blackfriars Road, SE1, before relocating in 2012 to City Hall adjacent to London’s Tower Bridge.

The thrilling news arrived early January 2012, that the Mayor of London had approved the full funding for Green Lanes' ambitious project. This decision marked a significant milestone in their journey towards revitalising and enhancing the area for the benefit of the local community.