North Finchley Town Team launched

"A Town Team dedicated to giving North Finchley a boost has been launched.

"Sixteen board members have been elected to represent local businesses, charities and the public sector. The board will now focus on widening the membership of the town team, with people able to become a full member with voting rights or play a more dedicated role as a subgroup member.

"The Town Team aims to help make North Finchley Town Centre a place that people want to use, enjoy, return to and where businesses can thrive in an attractive and distinctive environment. The Town Team will also support Barnet Council in delivering the £1.1m awarded to North Finchley last year from the Mayor’s Outer London Fund with just under £400,000 match funding from the Council.

"The fund will be partly used to establish a ‘Cultural Quarter’ in the southern end of the town centre around the artsdepot and Tally Ho Corner providing for a range of community activities. New signage, lighting and landscaping including tree planting and decluttering are proposed, as well as enhancements to buildings and shopfronts. A programme of events will be delivered to give the town centre a boost and opportunities will also be created to support young people in the local area, including the creation of three apprenticeships.

"Public realm design specialist, muf architecture/art and Retail Revival, a business support consultancy have already been appointed to help deliver the physical improvements to the area as well as provide support and training to local shops and traders.

"Town Team Board community member Brenda Goldberg said:

“As a long time resident of North Finchley, I’m very keen to see the town centre become a more vibrant and thriving area for the local community, and also residents from neighbouring communities, to visit, to shop and for leisure. This tranche of funding from the OLF Fund will enable us to actively achieve this, rather than simply talking about it!”

"Some money has been spent so far [sic - already?] from the fund on last year’s Olympic Torch Spectacular and youth festival events in Victoria Park, as well as carrying out a North Finchley parking review and the Christmas Tally Ho Ho Ho! event.

"Councillor David Longstaff, Cabinet Member for Safety and Resident Engagement and North Finchley Outer London Fund Member Champion, said:

“This is an impressive team, which combines members from all walks of life in the North Finchley area. Together I am sure they will be able to provide the vision and local insight we need to nurture the area and inspire our residents to visit again.”