Havering Council and Romford BID have joined up to open a new green space in the heart of Romford.
Named North Street Garden - the small area of land in North Street - has been transformed into a permanent green area, for residents and visitors to enjoy.
This has been funded by the UK Government and The Mayor of London as part of the “Greening the Borough” section of the UKSPF funding scheme (The UK Shared Prosperity Fund).
Under its Where We Live flagship campaign, the Council is supporting projects that help to make the borough cleaner and greener.
Originally installed as a temporary feature in 2022, the green space was part of an initiative to bring colour, vibrancy and a calm area to this part of Romford town centre.
Works were carried out, by Sally Prothero Landscape Architecture and contractors, Blakedown Landscapes.
The area sees a number of benches for people to sit and relax in a new paving area with raised planters.
These are surrounded by species of trees and plants that have been especially chosen to help boost pollination and the environment around it.
A poll was run by the Romford BID asking residents to name the new permanent space and the majority vote was to name it the North Street Garden.
Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“Havering has some great parks around the outskirts of Romford town centre but there was no green space within the busy high street areas.
“We then had the opportunity along with the Romford BID and the GLA’s UKSPF fund, to create and improve a green space just next to our local shops and businesses.
“We hope that the North Street Garden is somewhere residents and anyone working in the area and using our local shops, can enjoy.”
Julie Frost, Romford BID Director, said:
“We’re thrilled to have helped to deliver this permanent green space for Romford.
“North Street Garden is more than just a name, it’s a reflection of how this space has become part of our community.
“We’re so pleased that the public helped us choose it!”