Supporting Edgware

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Most problems faced by Edgware Town Centre are not unique. The future of town centres and high streets has been a concern for a long time, as outlined in a report on Town Centre Regeneration for the House of Commons. These issues are part of a national trend, but as the report says, these challenges also create opportunities and require customised local solutions to ensure that we support our town centres. 

How we are reviving Edgware

We are committed to supporting our town centres to be ‘fit for the future’. Trends such as the growth of online shopping have seen a move away from ‘in shop’ retail. High streets are becoming better known for leisure experiences such as meeting with friends, family, or business contacts. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated these trends.

In line with Our Plan for Barnet 2023 to 2026, the council is fully committed to supporting Edgware to flourish as a place for all to live, work, and enjoy. Retail will continue to be important, but leisure, education, community, and commercial/office uses are equally important for creating and maintaining vital, viable and sustainable town centres.

In June 2021, we published the Edgware Growth Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), a planning framework which explains how to interpret and implement Barnet’s Local Plan policies in a way that is specific to Edgware. The SPD is just one part of many national, regional, and local policies that help make decisions about planning and development in Edgware.

It also identifies place specific opportunities for regeneration as well as local treasures that need to be supported and celebrated, including:

  • local independent shops
  • restaurants
  • The Railway Hotel

Public statement regarding the Railway Hotel (PDF, 278Kb) produced by Barnet Council December 2023.

What we have done to date

We have been championing Edgware through a variety of initiatives and events. Some examples include the:

  • Temporary Streetspace Fund Programme: to help businesses get back to normal while the social distancing laws were in place
  • Edgware Carnival in the Broadwalk car park: this featured as part of the Discover Barnet Presents Summer Festival 2021. The event consisted of arts and crafts, local musicians, refreshments, and workshops for all the family
  • London Festival of Architecture: we supported the festival with installations and events across June and July.

New mural at Station Road

UP Projects and Barnet Council are working with artist Holly Graham to develop a new mural at 158 Station Road, Edgware. The project is part of a broader programme of artist-led activities celebrating 100 years of Station Road to unite communities and activate the high street. An interim installation went up on 9 November showcasing a series of campaign posters created by young people at F.U.S.E Youth Project, students at Edgware Primary School and Northgate School, as well as visitors to Edgware Library in workshops led by Holly Graham.

This interim display is the first step towards the creation of a new more permanent artwork by Holly Graham which will be installed in early 2024 and will take the form of a text-based mural inspiring action today to inform what Edgware becomes tomorrow.

On 23 November 2023, UP Projects and Barnet Council will mark a key moment for the 100 Years of Station Road programme, with the activation of three distinct artist-led projects on Edgware High Street: Stop and Smell the Flowers by Holly Graham, Care & Magic by Ruth Beale, and Burble by Emma Smith.

What we plan to deliver in the future

We are supporting the borough’s first Business Improvement District (BID) in Edgware. Businesses in Edgware voted to back the BID that will help drive over £800,000 of new investment into the High Street over the next 5 years and beyond.The BID plans to tackle issues of cleanliness, crime and safety, and act as a combined voice for the businesses it represents in the area.

From Autumn 2023, we will start engaging with the community to come up with a detailed plan for making public spaces better. We have also started several projects to make sure that challenges within Edgware are addressed.

These include:

  • Centenary Project for Station Road: this project is being developed with the community, including young people. It will develop a series of events, art, and cultural interventions across the town centre.
    An Edgware Public Realm Design Framework: a design-led approach is being taken to improve public space. This framework will enable the council to guide investment in the public space. It will ensure it is coherent, of high quality, and maintainable in the future.

Broadwalk Centre and Edgware Bus Station redevelopment

Community engagement

The owners of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre and TfL have also been engaging with the community about proposals for the Broadwalk Centre and Edgware Bus Station. 

Impact on public transport

We are committed to improving the public transport in Edgware. This aligns with the Barnet Long-Term Transport Strategy 2020-41 which includes a commitment to ensuring that future investment in transport is considered holistically, prioritising a convenient and reliable transport network. The Transport Strategy prioritises access to safe, healthy, and inclusive travel options, as well as protection and improvement of the natural environment.

How you can participate

We are dedicated to ensuring opportunities for the community to engage and get involved at different levels. We want to make sure that everyone who wishes to, can participate, and help shape the future of Edgware Town Centre.

We will involve the community in various ways, both in-person and online, for all our initiatives. Our aim is to provide diverse opportunities for participation. We will keep track of participation to make sure it represents the demographic in Edgware. If there are any gaps in certain parts of the community, we will tailor our approach to engage with those specific groups more effectively. 

In late 2023, we will be inviting residents, businesses and others in the area, to join the Edgware Partnership Board. Additional engagement activities undertaken by Ballymore and TfL and their representatives will be advertised here: Broadwalk Centre And Edgware Bus Station.

Sharing your feedback on planning developments

If you would like to share your thoughts on any proposed planning development, you can comment on planning applications

More information about the planning applications process

Contact us

For further information or queries, email Barnet Council’s Town Centres Team at edgware@barnet.gov.uk