Last year we submitted to Newham London our large grant scheme bid proposal as part of their community wealth building strategy to support Tracks' recovery and reorientation in navigating the post-pandemic landscape.
We're very proud to announce that we've been successful in securing funding to create a community-focused area in Forest Gate that adds long-term, sustainable value to the local community and businesses.
Our proposed activities will drive forward an inclusive economy. The pandemic has been a catalyst in many of our local residents reevaluating their careers and lifestyle so we want to nurture a cooperative economy that supports local creatives and encourages entrepreneurship regardless of age, background or experience.
By adapting Tracks to facilitate community-powered projects including hosting classes, workshops and a radio station, this will enhance social integration as transferable skills can be taught to aid potential future employment opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and the younger generation.
We’ll be giving further exposure to local entrepreneurs and small businesses through the medium of our online community-driven magazine ‘The Forest’. This platform will be championing the local community and showcasing businesses in the borough to ultimately support them in improving their productivity.
The outdoor marketplace will be the beating heart of our Avenue Road Arches regeneration project as this will help the area evolve further into a destination and drive local economic growth.
As well as being a meeting place that will aid the health and wellbeing of local residents, the regularly populated marketplace will bring an injection of footfall and more exposure to other businesses on the station strip so they’re not so seasonal dependent.
The Avenue Marketplace will also support local suppliers and traders so we’re retaining an emergent wealth locally and building a green, circular economy. We're aiming to get this up and running by the end of the year.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Newham Economic Regeneration Team, Mayor of Newham Rokshana Fiaz and Forest Gate North Ward Councillor Rachel Tripp for their support in helping us realising our vision.
For further information on our successful bid and other organisations in Newham awarded the large grant read here.
