Drummond Street in Camden, London - a street famed for its South Asian cuisine - has today (Friday 29 May) secured £650,888 for a revitalisation programme after Camden Borough Council, in partnership with Euston Town BID, was successful in its application to the HS2 Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF). The sum is the biggest BLEF award to date.
The Drummond Street Neighbourhood Revival project will transform Drummond Street turning it into an even more enticing food destination hub. Three new gateways, from Hampstead Road and either end of North Gower Street, will welcome customers into a refreshed Drummond Street with improved overhead lighting and new street furniture. A communal space will be created in a paved area behind businesses in Foundry Mews for customers, businesses and residents to use. Improvements will be made to shop frontages, repainting facades, and creating new signage, murals, illuminations and artwork for the street. The project will be delivered in three stages and the first stage, which this funding is for, is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2021.
Andrew Stephenson MP, HS2 Minister, said:
“As this vital infrastructure project is delivered we have been very clear that HS2 Ltd must be an exemplary ‘good neighbour’, supporting local businesses and residents as it helps regenerate our towns and cities.
“With over £6 million already invested in communities and businesses along the HS2 route, it’s great to see Camden Council receiving funding which will transform the area around Euston station, supporting traders and creating a vibrant community space.”
Camden Council and Euston Town BID (Business Improvement District) have worked with Jan Kattein Architects to develop the proposals following an extensive consultation with the business traders and the community. The proposals take into account the needs of local traders as well as the community and customers, and are set to be transformational for this area of Camden. The Euston Town BID has also contributed £160,000 match funding to the project.
The funding has come from the HS2 Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF), part of a combined total of £40million in funding available to local communities and businesses that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of Britain’s new high speed railway between London and the West Midlands. This is the largest award that has been made from the Funds to date and the project will join the other 113 projects between London and the West Midlands that have also benefitted.
Mark Thurston, HS2 Ltd CEO, said:
“The HS2 funds are such a critical part of how HS2 can support communities and business on the line of route that are affected by the construction of Britain’s new high speed railway. Not only can they provide local and targeted relief from the impact of construction, they can also create a positive and lasting impact in communities beyond that. The Drummond Street Revival Project will transform the area, and this is an important investment that will provide benefit to local businesses for many years to come.”
Drummond Street sits alongside Euston station where HS2 is building the London terminus for the UK’s new low-carbon high speed railway. The new HS2 station will transform the area and increase footfall as available passenger seats at peak times will be trebled when HS2 services begin to operate.
Eleven projects in London have received support since the funding programme opened for applications in March 2017. Other community groups that have benefitted include the Holborn Community Association who received £75,000 to upgrade the Bedford House Community Centre providing a new gymnasium and community facilities. The Greengage project run by the Castlehaven Community Association, received £74,000 to transform part of a local park, creating a community garden, used by children and residents in the local area, which includes bug hotels and bird boxes.
Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities and an Inclusive Economy said:
“We have worked in partnership with Euston Town BID, the Drummond Street traders and local residents to develop these proposals.
“This will be very welcome news to local businesses who have lost valuable trade in recent times and have also been affected by their close proximity to the construction work. It’s been a very difficult period since station works began, added to the current challenges businesses are facing due to COVID-19.
“This funding will enhance the Drummond Street area and greatly improve the local environment for all who live and work there.
“Already renowned for its famous restaurants and other food outlets, this significant award will enable us to encourage visitors and tourists and help to secure this important areas future.”
Simon Pitkeathley, CEO of the Euston Town Bid said:
“As businesses emerge from Covid-19 we are seeing the high street’s transformation catalyzed; what we thought would take a decade is happening in a matter of months. When we committed to this project a year ago, we knew that an irreplaceable cultural asset was at risk. Now, we are faced with the unexpected challenge and opportunity to place Drummond Street at the question facing our businesses – how do we reimagine our neighbourhoods so they best serve our communities, and become once again an intrinsic part of our future cities?”
Two food festivals will be held as part of the project, with entertainment and community involvement. This will be an opportunity for the traders on the street to showcase their goods and services. In response to the current pandemic funding will be allocated for more immediate projects that will help traders in relaunching their businesses safely. The funding will also be used to deliver workshops for the Drummond Street businesses, which will increase the capacity of businesses by providing up to date training and support.
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects.
