The Brixton Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) will see a £2.6 million investment in historic buildings and the part they play in local culture. The focus is on Electric Avenue – built in the 1880s it was the first shopping street in the country to be lit by electricity and found fame in 1983 through the Eddy Grant single of the same name.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £1,950,000 to the initiative and Lambeth Council has committed a further £650,000.
What the money will be spent on was developed with the local community and partners. The Brixton Heritage Regeneration Partnership includes representatives from Brixton Neighbourhood Forum, Brixton Market Traders’ Federation, Brixton Society, Brixton BID, Friends of Windmill Gardens, Brixton Pound, and Lambeth Council and is keen to expand its membership, which is open to all local organisations. Please contact Ellie Cook for further information (details below).
The partnership has published a Charter and includes a shared vision for Brixton town centre.
The THI is about recognising the quality of the area’s historic buildings and local distinctiveness and the contribution these make to economic regeneration of the area.
The money will see Victorian properties restored and empty upper floor space brought back into use as new homes. Grants of up to 85 per cent will be available to property and business owners in the area for relevant building work. Eligible works will include:
The scheme will see £105,000 put towards a series of community projects, including a proposal for solar powered electricity. The community projects aim to broaden engagement with Brixton’s heritage and include children and young people’s workshops, a temporary Brixton Museum and guided heritage walks.
There will be lots of opportunities for local people to get involved in the Brixton Townscape Heritage Initiative with a programme of community and training activities.
For further information on the Brixton THI, including grants and community activities, please contact Ellie Cook via [email protected] or 020 7926 9588.