From new basketball courts to community buildings and even barbers trained to discuss mental health, the latest snapshot of the North Paddington project highlights how this part of Westminster is being reinvigorated thanks to more than £10 million in investment by Westminster City Council.
It has also been revealed that dozens of new projects are in the pipeline, ranging from expanded community hubs to increased arts funding and courses designed to teach young entrepreneurs Dragon’s Den-style skills for the future.
These details are set out in the Midway Report (link bekow), which provides a two-year snapshot of progress across the wide-ranging North Paddington Programme. This initiative was launched after North Paddington was chosen as a priority area for investment, with the aim of addressing years of underinvestment and neglect.
Drawing on feedback from local residents, the council created one of the most ambitious regeneration schemes ever undertaken by a local authority. Achievements so far include more than £10 million invested in expanding and improving community buildings, over 426 new trees planted, upgrades to Maida Hill Market and Harrow Road, and more than £825,000 in grants awarded to support over 50 community organisations.
Local capital projects have received £4.5 million in funding, while a resident-designed family hub has already served more than 1,200 meals. Maida Hill Square has been completely revitalised, offering free dance classes and international food stalls, alongside new sports facilities and fresh green spaces across the area.
Residents have played a central role in shaping these changes. The programme has encompassed everything from shopfront improvements along Harrow Road to collaborations with the NHS on local health services, as well as training barbers to lead conversations with their customers about mental wellbeing.
Community spaces have been a particular focus. One example is The Exchange at Ernest Harriss House, a new community hub operated by North Paddington Food Bank. More than 400 local people contributed to its design, and since opening it has hosted 28 events and provided over 1,200 meals. Looking ahead, the council is commissioning a £2.5 million family hub to further expand support for residents.
The next phase of development includes the £4.5 million Community Capital Grants Fund, which will revitalise and upgrade community-run spaces, making them more accessible, sustainable, and better equipped to support health and wellbeing.
The council is also investing heavily in creativity and the arts. A further £2.7 million in funding has been secured to expand Paddington Arts, creating new cultural infrastructure, boosting access to the arts, and opening opportunities for young people and local creatives. This will provide a vital platform for residents to develop employable skills within the creative industries, ensuring the area’s regeneration is not only physical but cultural and economic as well.
Cllr Cara Sanquest, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: ‘The mission of the North Paddington Programme is to create safer, healthier, more prosperous lives for our residents, and giving local people a say in the future of their area.
‘With more job and training opportunities, support for young families and free art on the streets we’re making North Paddington an even more exciting and vibrant part of our city.
‘The two-year snapshot shows we have covered a lot of ground, but there is a lot more in the pipeline and we are going to keep up the momentum in this part of the city.’
The Midway Report can be downloaded here.
Photo: Daria Agafonova
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