Cricklewood sits on the border between 3 London Boroughs, receiving services from the councils, police and other front line services of Barnet, Brent and Camden.
Cricklewood Improvement Programme secures £1.65m from London Mayor for improvements to Cricklewood Broadway
CIP has been awarded £1.65 million from the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund to boost the local high street, deliver growth, new jobs and improve lives. Working with Barnet Council who are the accountable body for the programme local residents look forward to putting Cricklewood on the map for all the right reasons.
Cricklewood Improvement Programme (CIP) is made up of resident associations was created in 2009 by CHC www.chc.org.uk.
Cricklewood straddles the junction of three London boroughs and more immediately the three wards - of Mapesbury (Brent), Childs Hill (Barnet) and Fortune Green (Camden). Consequently it has been historically difficult to develop a coherent approach for Cricklewood and this is something local residents wanted to address.
CIP firmly believe that local people understand the needs of their community and recognize what needs to be done to develop a strong economy, a place of opportunity, a safe and welcoming place for themselves, their families and visitors. And it also recognizes that local people should be leading on these positive changes and aspirations.
Danny Maher, Chair of Cricklewood Improvement Programme, said:
‘This funding is excellent news and will allow us to kick start genuine improvements to Cricklewood Broadway. Cricklewood Improvement Programme is a genuine community initiative founded and run by people who live and work in the area. Together we have recognised the potential with targeted funding to make our community a much more attractive destination and one that we can be proud of in the future.
CIP are working with Barnet Council (the accountable local authority for this funding) and Brent and Camden Councils as partners in their plans for economic, cultural and social regeneration of Cricklewood. The Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme includes development in and around Cricklewood Broadway. CIP secured funding assistance from the BXC Development Partners for its Outer London Fund bid and will work closely with them on future promotion of the Cricklewood area.
CIP working with the three boroughs will use this funding to make significant improvements to peoples lives through upgrading the public realm, encouraging local businesses to work together to increase economic activity, creating opportunities for the young population around training and employment and to strengthen the cultural offer in Cricklewood.
BAFTA award-winner Fergal Keane officially launched the CIP - Cricklewood Improvement Programme - to an audience of more than 100 people on Tuesday, 19th July 2011. Referring to an item he is preparing for "Newsnight", he spoke passionately about community and identity. Drawing form his extensive travels he encouraged the people of Cricklewood to take pride in their neighbourhood, that when everyday people pay attention to the small things they can make a big difference. The practical results of renewal were reflected in the room where the meeting took place - the refurbished Crown Moran Hotel.
Cricklewood Homeless Concern in partnership with local residents associations created CIP to support local people in the ownership and development of the neighbourhood. The aim is to make a place that is attractive, successful, welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Cricklewood resident Tim Evans echoed Fergal Keane's words in saying that despite being at the edge of three boroughs, Cricklewood is a great place and that by building on the small things the lives of people in the area and the area itself can be improved.
Design For London and CIP's Outer London Fund (Round 2)
CIP representatives Danny Maher, Emma Liberman and Orna Ross as well as regeneration officers of Brent and Camden met with officers from Design for London http://www.designforlondon.gov.uk to seek further guidance for the OLF. With a deadline of 14th October 2011 the pressure is on to complete our bid. this is an excellent opportunity to make significant positive changes to our local community.
Our bid is now fully support by Barnet, Brent and Camdens councils with Barnet Council agreeing to be the accountable body for the project.
Next steps involve working with our regeneration partners from Barnet, Brent and Camden to work out the detail of the bid e.g. public realm changes, plans for supporting local traders as well as developing a cultural programme for the Broadway.
We are delighted with the support of our local traders e.g. Crown Moran Hotel, the Co-operative Funeral Care and many others.
