A new canalside piazza has been unveiled by a developer in Alperton.
The square, overlooking a regenerated area of the canal, is home to a new community hub and cafe, and the area opens up a previously inaccessible 800 metre stretch of the Grand Union Canal.
The Hub, operated by the charity The London Development Trust, will be at the centre of community activity to around 15,000 people, including residents living in the 3,350 new homes built by St George at Grand Union.
Work began on the former Northfields Industrial Estate in 2019.
The hub will host private functions and courses. The canal will host activities such as kayaking and projects to increase biodiversity.
Council leader Muhammed Butt attended the opening, along with Cllr Shama Tatler, cabinet member for regeneration and planning.
“This is a fantastic moment for Alperton and the wider borough,” Cllr Tatler said. “The hub will be a huge asset for the local area, creating opportunities for the whole community to come together, socialise and learn something new.
“The Grand Union project has totally regenerated and revitalised this neighbourhood and we cannot wait to see the community play a leading role in the running of this Hub.”
The opening event on Saturday saw the official unveiling of a bronze sculpture, The Next Step, created by Brian Alabaster. It features three children climbing stacks of books .
A narrowboat, Pavo, built in 1935 for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company has been restored and is permanently located at Grand Union.
Simon Donovan, CEO of London Development Trust, which runs the community hub on behalf of the Grand Union Development Trust, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to form a community.
“The Hub is not just a set of rooms for hire; the idea is for it to have a life of its own.
“It will be a platform on which the community can build itself. We don’t want to come along and do stuff for people; this is about people doing stuff for themselves and taking leadership.”
The hub will run projects at a discounted rate for people struggling financially, and will have a digital platform for online activities.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here