News

The regeneration project is funded by the GLA’s outer London Fund and is being delivered for Brent Council by the Architecture Foundation in collaboration with Meanwhile Space and Blue Consulting.

Throughout December, young designers, architects and creatives are working with local shopkeepers to create an animated festive advent calendar along Willesden High Road, aiming to bring positive long-term change and adding sparkle to the area.  The twenty-five local shops have been paired with the designers to produce an advent calendar of window displays that not only add a festive feel to the street, but also provide a legacy for the businesses. The window of the project’s Pilot Shop, owned by local businessman Icky Nuthoo, is brightened by a Las Vegas inspired light installation, by designer Kieren Jones. The lighting display spells out ‘Willesden’ in bright letters, adding some pizazz to this previously vacant premises. Kieren Jones said, “I wanted to add some fun and lightness to what has been an empty shop, and create something that would make people smile.  I have used local sign-writers and worked with Brent-based trainees in the installation. In this age of austerity, it is really wonderful to be involved in such a vibrant, hands-on regeneration project.” The Pilot Shop is the hub of the project the place to find out all the details about future opportunities and to pick up a map of the design trail. Every New Window will also be displayed in a photo gallery inside the Pilot Shop, which will initially open from 2-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Participating businesses are all independently run, and range from restaurants to clothes outlets, beauticians to gift shops, as well as everyday food stores and a pharmacy.

A special weekend series of celebratory public events will be held on 17-18 December, such as treasure hunts, designer workshops and a chance for visitors to enjoy seasonal mulled wine and mince pies as they explore the area. Through this creative partnering of emerging designers with local shopkeepers and residents, ‘New Windows’ will help to stimulate footfall to the area, as well as make lasting improvements to the High Road. An opportunity for creativity-led regeneration, the project will continue into the New Year. This will provide designers with small-scale commissions and offer start-up businesses and projects the chance to take up residencies in return for creating opportunities for the local community, creating The Architecture Foundation’s Director Sarah Ichioka said, “We are really delighted to see the launch of this Pilot Shop by talented young designer Kieren Jones, and we look forward to welcoming local residents and visitors alike to enjoy New Windows on Willesden Green.”

Brent Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Major Projects, Cllr George Crane, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for residents and designers to get involved in changing the face of Willesden High Road and help turn it into a bustling and attractive centre that more people want to visit.”

The Pilot Shop, 45 Walm Lane, NW2 4QU Open: 2-6pm Tues-Sat until further notice.

Full List of participation shops and businesses:

1. Name of shop: Pilot shop

Type of shop: Project info point

Address: 45 Walm Lane

A previously vacant premises becomes your

one stop shop to find out everything you need

to know about the New Windows on

Willesden Green project.  Pick up a map of all

the Willesden Windows to follow the trail.

2.Name of shop: Samaritans

Type of shop: Charity Shop

Address: 11 Walm Lane

Denis Cremin runs this attractive charity shop

which is brimming with items for all tastes.

3.Name of shop: Food for Thought

Type of shop: Café

Address: 15 High Road

Just the place for a cappuccino, breakfast or

lunch. Mauro Borella always offers a warm

welcome at his cosy smart cafe.

4.Name of shop: Everything etc.

Type of shop: Gift shop

Address: 66 High Road

The Shah family have run this treasure trove

of gifts and ornaments for 15 years; there

really is just about everything imaginable.

5. Name of shop: The Hairways Studio

Type of shop: Barbers

Address: 118a High Road

When he’s not delivering a smart haircut Tony

Antoniou is very active on behalf of  Willesden

businesses and was awarded an MBE for his

community work.  He has been running his

shop for over 20 years.

6.Name of shop: The Salon

Type of shop: Hair & Beauty

Address: 18e High Road

You’ll be sure of a friendly smile and skilled

treatment at Theressa Moorhouse’s elegant

hair and beauty salon which has had a place

on the High Road for 4 years.

7.Name of shop: Soz

Type of shop: Restaurant

Address: 6-6a High Road

This recently opened restaurant and take-

away serves Lebanese cuisine bursting with

Middle Eastern flavours.

8.Name of shop: Mobile World

Type of shop: Mobile phones

Address: 49 High Road

Rajeen Vig has been offering a full range of

mobile phones, accessories and services for 6

years.

9.Name of shop: Glorious Beginnings

Type of shop: Bookshop

Address: 18a High Road,

Willesden,

This unique book shop has been

run by Mrs Yinka Adebanjo for 10

years and offers books, cards, music

and gifts with a Christian theme

10.Name of shop: Babsies

Type of shop: Food

Address: 147 High Road

Open for 2 years, Ronald Alcade presents a

fascinating range of Filipino foodstuffs.

11.Name of shop: Zeflux Imports & Exports

Type of shop: Beauty & hair products

Address: 122-124 High Road

The Gupta family has been in business in

Willesden High Road for nearly 50 years

supplying a complete range of hair and beauty

products for all needs, including wigs and hair

extensions.

12. Name of shop: Loyalty UK

Type of shop: Internet Café

Address: 80 Walm Lane

Wissam  Al  Sayegh runs this friendly internet

cafe, IT services and computer repairs shop in

Walm Lane just near the station.

13.Name of shop: Tailorwear

Type of shop: Tailor

Address: 105 High Road

Mr. Bhundia and his father before him have

been offering top quality, good value,

menswear in Willesden for 40 years since

opening as a bespoke tailors.

14.Name of shop: Zeba

Type of shop: Beauticians

Address: 104 High Road

Women-only hair and beauty parlour run by

award-winning community worker Rabina

Zakrifa whose customers tell her that coming

into her shop feels just like coming home.

15.Name of shop: Krish Cards

Type of shop: Card shop

Address: 61 High Road

Krish Cards  has been in the High Road for

over 20  years and  you  will find a card for

every occasion in Mr. Adatia’s delightful

welcoming shop.

16.Name of shop: Real Charcoal

Type of shop: Kebab Restaurant

Address: 142 High Road

Sahin Ozer has brightened up this corner of

Villiers Road with his brand new Kebab

restaurant and offers a warm welcome.

17.Name of shop: Willesden Green Library

Centre

Type of shop: Mixed-use centre

Address: 95 High Road

Willesden Green Library Centre is the cultural

hub of Brent; a place to learn, explore,

congregate and exchange.

18.Name of shop: Buywise

Type of shop: Groceries

Address: 72 High Road

Mrs Hussein’s bright and welcoming mini

market presents a fine array of fresh

vegetables and grocery products

19.Name of shop: Monsoon

Type of shop: Bakery & café

Address: 62 High Road

With fresh bread, pies and pastries, Icky

Nuthoo has been baking in Willesden for over

10 years – sit in to eat his produce too.

20.Name of shop: R&C Pharmacy

Type of shop: Pharmacy

Address: 5a Walm Lane

Not just a dispensing pharmacy, R&C offers a

range of perfumes, cosmetics and

baby care goods.

21.Name of shop: Open Eye

Optician

Type of shop: Optician

Address: 64 High Road

Practice Manager, Mumira Asaria, has run this

bright and attractive opticians for over 10

years.

22.Name of shop: Lemoss

Type of shop: Household

Address: 74 High Road

A haven for all manner of tools, hardware and

households needs, Lemoss is a long standing

fixture on the High Road

23.Name of shop: Reaidi

Type of shop: Hair stylist

Address: 83 High Road

Hamid Reaidi has been running his

hairdressing salon in the High Road for 20

years and will give a friendly welcome.

24.Name of shop: Norma’s Blessed Hands

Type of shop: Caribbean Restaurant

Address: 116 Willesden High Road

Authentic, good value Caribbean food and a

peaceful  experience here at Norma’s

Christian family run restaurant, opened three

and a half years ago by the mayor of Brent.

25.Name of shop: Phone Centre

Type of shop: Mobile phones

Address: 128 High Road

Ziad Qureshi’s phone shop has been supplying

mobile phone and accessories for