Ealing Council has announced a £1.4 million 'Pride in Place' programme to upgrade high streets across the borough after being excluded from the Labour Government's national Pride in Place scheme. The council allocated the funding to “build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people,” according to council documents. Unlike neighbouring boroughs Hounslow and Brent, Ealing received no direct funding from the government initiative.
Focus on public spaces and community involvement
The initiative will “specifically focus on enhancing public spaces in high streets and town centres,” though specific locations for upgrades have not yet been determined. Residents will directly influence how and where the funding is allocated. This could involve local 'town teams'—groups of 10 to 15 volunteer residents who represent their neighbourhood alongside local businesses, faith groups, and councillors.
Council officers will conduct “place analysis” examining levels of deprivation and community needs, combined with resident surveys, to prioritise high streets. The programme team will also explore ways to empower the community to co-design and co-deliver the programme.
Deprivation data points to likely areas
By town, Northolt is the most deprived area in Ealing. At ward level, Southall Green—represented by Council Leader Cllr Peter Mason—is the most deprived, according to council reports. Mandar Puranik, Head of Regeneration, Investment and Jobs at Ealing Council, will provide an overview of the borough's high streets and town centres, community-led placemaking delivery plans, and a case study of community-led programmes underway in Southall.
Council documents cite recent Southall public arts investment as an example of “how the council has been strengthening and deepening its approach to community-led and place-based work in the borough.” However, Southall residents have raised concerns about fly-tipping and public drug use following the relocation of a drug addiction treatment centre. Herpreet Nirwal told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that “there are people, they will sit on our road and they will openly smoke a crack pipe.” Ealing Council said the behaviour is unacceptable but argued there is “no evidence that the current issues are being caused by the relocation” of the centre.
Programme still in early stages
The Pride in Place programme is at an early development stage, with the council seeking advice from the Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel, chaired by Councillor Hitesh Tailor (Labour, East Acton). The panel will meet on Thursday, July 9 at 7pm to discuss proposals and provide feedback on the delivery approach. The first phase of the programme is expected to launch by April 2027.
