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Money pot awarded to Northwood Hills by Boris
SHOPS and local businesses in Northwood Hills and Ruislip Manor received a huge boost today with a £2.7million grant from the office of London mayor Boris Johnson.
The money will be split between the two shopping parades in Joel Street and Victoria Road respectively, with new paving, street furniture, trees, spruced-up shop fronts and other visual enticements mooted.
There had been doubt over whether the money would find its way to Hillingdon after Northwood Hills missed out on an initial round of funding but the Greater London Authority (GLA) announced the timely boost this afternoon.
Mr Johnson, on a visit to Bell Avenue in West Drayton today, was able to give the good news to Ruislip Manor Chamber of Commerce chairman Les Drussel and Northwood Hills Residents' Association chairman Andrew Riley.
The Tory mayor said: "Town centres are the lifeblood of our communities and we have to do all we can to ensure they can prosper and grow.
"By making some simple but vital improvements to how our town centres look and feel, we can help to kick-start growth and ensure they have the bright future they deserve.
"I look forward to seeing these planned improvements building a positive buzz and driving investment and job creation in the borough."
The money is part of a programme of improving town centres across the capital to ensure they remain "viable, prosperous and competitive," he added.
The £2.7m grant will also help deliver economic and social benefits to both areas, with provision for new markets, cultural and community events, retail and business support, and the promotion of apprenticeships within local firms.
Mr Drussel told the Gazette: "We are over the moon, we have worked hard for this and we are delighted for the local shopkeepers.
"This will make Manor a better place."
Mr Riley added: "This coupled with the £400,000 already pledged by the council means that we now have a significant sum to regenerate Northwood Hills.
"A big thank you to everyone who supported the bid and also assisted by sending in letters of support."
Councillor Andrew Retter (Con, N.Hills) also told the Gazette: "Disappointing as it was not to be awarded in the first round, great credit must be given to the team that has helped us win in the second stage.
"This money will be in addition to £400,000 already agreed by the council for Northwood Hills, it is a substantial sum.
"We want to make Northwood Hills the centre of attention."
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