Ealing Council is set to invest £1.4 million in enhancing public spaces across its high streets and town centres through a new initiative called Ealing Pride in Place
. The programme, which aligns with the government's national strategy and Ealing's own Connected Communities
vision, aims to empower local residents and foster a greater sense of civic pride. The first phase of delivery is expected to commence in 2026-27, with residents anticipating tangible improvements soon after.
The initiative will focus on improving public areas, incorporating elements such as urban greening, pocket parks, new seating, public art, and enhanced lighting. The council acknowledges the challenge of securing ongoing revenue support for these initiatives, and will therefore consider 'stewardship and local support' as a criterion for funding. This includes exploring joint working with the business community or community groups for future upkeep and maintenance. Maintenance and management costs, including lighting, safety, and CCTV, will be factored in before capital funding is invested to avoid additional costs after two years.
Jas Bhalla, founder of Jas Bhalla Works, presented findings from community engagement in Southall, highlighting opportunities for revitalisation around Southall Station and Merrick Road. The vision for Southall is built on three pillars: stay,
prosper,
and create.
The prosper
pillar aims to foster a range of good, well-paid jobs catering to different people, acknowledging the changing industrial landscape with new data centres and affordable workspace. The council is also working to secure greater Section 106 funding towards localisations alongside capital investment.
The programme will adopt a phased delivery model. Phase one will focus on areas with the potential for capacity building and enhanced resident engagement, where seed investment can allow for maximum cumulative impact. Phase two will target high-visibility town centres that may have limited match funding but have existing design work or extensive consultation. Phase three will focus on areas requiring community building work to bring forward active participants and ensure community-led initiatives, potentially requiring additional time and resources to secure external funding or align with pending workstreams.
Measurable outcomes and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the programme were discussed. Beyond improved greening, economic growth, and residents' perceptions of safety, the council is also tracking 'footfall, vacancy rates, business survival, and levels of participation.'
The council has actively engaged with landowners to understand their priorities and potential barriers to local business engagement. The aim is to develop pragmatic and visionary proposals, encouraging landowners to bring forward sites for 'meanwhile uses' through dialogue and engagement.
The meeting information also mentions 'opportunities for public art' as an emerging idea to increase the sense of pride in place. While specific types of public art are not detailed, the Southall placemaking delivery plan and recent public art investments serve as a case study, suggesting that local artists are involved in contributing to these initiatives.
Further details on the programme can be found in the Public reports pack for the Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel meeting held on Thursday 09 July 2026. The Agenda frontsheet for the same meeting is also available.
