Ealing opens Thriving Towns fund applications for local centres

Ealing Council has opened applications to the Thriving Towns fund, which is intended to pay for practical improvements to high streets, town centres and smaller shopping parades. The council announced the start of this stage on 20 October. Businesses and business-related groups are invited to submit proposals.

The programme covers all seven main towns in the borough: Ealing, Acton, Southall, Hanwell, Greenford, Northolt and Perivale. The council's total investment is £1.4 million. Rather than applying one solution throughout the borough, projects are expected to reflect the different needs and character of individual centres.

What kinds of ideas can be proposed

According to the published information, proposals may involve creating more inclusive public spaces, strengthening the local economy, celebrating local heritage and identity, and making centres safer and more appealing during the day and evening. The council also points to support for independent businesses, attracting more people to town centres and encouraging community events.

The council links the programme to its existing jobs and skills strategy, economy after 6pm strategy, community-led regeneration charter and placemaking plans for North Acton, West Ealing and Southall. The announcement also names the 20-minute-neighbourhood frameworks and Your Voice Your Town programme.

It is important to distinguish the current application round from the earlier funding announcement. EalingPulse reported in August on the decision to allocate £1.4 million to a high-street improvement programme: https://ealingpulse.uk/news/ealing-launches-its-own-1-4-million-high-street-improvement-programme-after-missing-out-on-national-funding. The new, dated development is that applications have opened and the council has set out the types of project that may seek support.

Who will be involved

Businesses and business-related groups are eligible for the current open call. The council also says that over the coming months it will work with residents, high-street landlords, businesses, community organisations and other partners. The aim is to identify local priorities before specific improvements are selected.

Residents and organisations that are not direct applicants can therefore look for ways to collaborate with local businesses and highlight problems that need to be addressed. For businesses, the first practical step is to read the full conditions on the council's consultation website, which is linked from the 20 October announcement. A proposal should clearly identify the place involved, the expected benefit for people using the street and how the project would work with the local community.

The council says the programme is designed to give local people and businesses a direct role in deciding how money is used. The announcement does not yet provide a list of approved projects or a breakdown of the £1.4 million between Ealing's seven towns. Those details will need to be confirmed separately after the application process closes and results are announced.