A greener, safer and more welcoming Hackney Central is one step closer after Hackney Council's successful application for £19m in Levelling Up funding.

The award will see five acres of public space transformed, bringing new green space, trees and seating along Amhurst Road, investment in Hackney Central Library, a much-needed redesign of Pembury Circus junction, new creative workspace and a rejuvenated Hackney Town Hall Square.

Hackney Central is the civic and cultural heart of Hackney, growing as a creative and retail destination, with huge opportunities for a more inclusive local economy alongside hundreds of new homes and jobs. The bid to transform this key area was informed by the views of thousands of local residents, which helped identify the concerns people have about community safety, public realm design, transport, greening and housing.

Drawing from the issues identified by the community, the Council’s bid was centred on three key priorities: 

• Developing a ‘Green and Resilient Hackney Central’ by addressing traffic congestion, reducing air pollution, improving walking and cycling routes and creating more green space.
• Creating a ‘Characterful Hackney Central’ with a stronger ‘civic heart’ by, improving heritage assets like the Town Hall Square, and improving cultural and library services to increase digital inclusion. 
• Improving wellbeing and resilience in the Hackney Central area by supporting markets, bringing empty spaces and shops back into use, and increasing footfall to improve community safety.

This funding coincides with the emerging Hackney Town Centre Strategy, which will offer a ten-year vision for Hackney Central and will go to Cabinet in the next few months signalling a new chapter for Hackney Central that we are excited to work with the local community to deliver.