Shopping parade gets major overhaul to entice new trade
Thursday 21 December: A small shopping parade has been given a major overhaul as part of a transformation by Hillingdon Council to create a vibrant retail location.
The parade has undergone a suite of improvements aimed at boosting footfall and encouraging more shoppers from the local area to reconsider trips to the edge-of-town supermarkets in favour of supporting their local traders.
The improvements include new lettering for the parade's name on the external brick façade, a new central boulevard lined with trees and dual lantern lighting, new paving and road surfaces, upgrades to street furniture including bins and cycle stands and previously unsightly utility cabinets, have been hidden with a green screen of plants.
The council has worked closely with local businesses to deliver the improvements, which in the new year will also include a new 'stop and shop' parking scheme to encourage quicker turnover of passing trade, using the parking bays immediately outside the shops. This will be facilitated by a new loading bay being created at the end of the parade, off the main highway.
Other changes include improvements to the junction with Long Lane, to enable better access for shoppers, suppliers and visitors to the nearby Oak Farm Library.
The parade includes a broad mix of shops from a family-run bakers, newsagents, hairdressers and a pharmacy, to a florist and more specialist businesses including Happy Hounds dog groomers and Aviation Retail Direct, which sells scale model aircraft.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "We're committing to creating a borough a thriving economy, where local businesses can grow and that is an attractive place to live, work and visit.
"These works to Sutton Court Road Parade are indicative of how we're investing to support our local businesses to help drive economic growth, and ensuring our retail and business offering pulls in shoppers both locally and from further afield, now and for years to come."
Sutton Court Road Parade can be found on Sutton Court Road, Hillingdon, UB10 9HP.