A blaze of colour illuminates Harrow Town Centre this week to mark Diwali and launch a “concerted programme” of support for businesses in the area.
An art installation of 21 giant tulips arrived in St Ann’s Road to celebrate the Hindu festival of light. It is the first in a series of activities and events to promote the Town Centre which aims to attract shoppers from Harrow and beyond during the festive period and into the New Year.
The lights and the ongoing business support programme are funded by money won by Harrow Council from the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund. The Council secured £860,000 to spend on revitalising the Town Centre and the shopping district in North Harrow in support of traders.
The 6m high tulips are the creation of artist James Cochrane and have graced various events including this year’s Big Chill festival. Lit up with energy efficient bulbs they will be in place until Saturday in the borough’s main shopping thoroughfare.
The installation will then return in December for the Christmas shopping period with the tulips replaced by snowdrops and flowers, alongside traditional festive lights.
Cllr Keith Ferry, portfolio holder for planning and economic development on Harrow Council, said: “Supporting Harrow Town Centre and our district centres is one of the Council’s top priorities. We are promoting what these centres have to offer and making them stand out from the crowd to attract shoppers and help the traders flourish.
“The Council is working on a long-term vision to regenerate Harrow Town Centre and create a place where people want to live, work and be entertained.”
