The project falls under the council’s wider “Where We Live” campaign, which focuses on cleaner, greener and more liveable public spaces across Havering
A small but serene corner of Romford has been transformed into a permanent green oasis, offering residents and visitors a welcome pocket of calm amid the bustling town centre.
Named North Street Garden, the newly landscaped space sits just off North Street and has been officially opened following a collaborative effort between Havering Council and Romford Business Improvement District (BID). What began as a temporary feature in 2022 has now blossomed into a fully realised, permanent garden thanks to funding from the UK Government and the Mayor of London, as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and its “Greening the Borough” initiative.
“Havering has some great parks around the outskirts of Romford town centre but there was no green space within the busy high street areas. We hope that the North Street Garden is somewhere residents and anyone working in the area and using our local shops, can enjoy.”
-Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment
The project falls under the council’s wider “Where We Live” campaign, which focuses on cleaner, greener and more liveable public spaces across the borough. North Street Garden represents the campaign’s ethos in action, offering a practical and beautiful escape in an otherwise commercial and urban part of Romford.
The transformation of the site was overseen by Sally Prothero Landscape Architecture, with construction completed by Blakedown Landscapes. A previously underutilised piece of land has now been thoughtfully redesigned into a landscaped garden with benches, raised planters and newly paved walkways. The plantings were selected specifically to boost pollination and support the local environment, creating a haven for bees and other pollinators in an urban setting.
Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Environment, spoke about the impact of the new garden:
“Havering has some great parks around the outskirts of Romford town centre, but there was no green space within the busy high street areas. We then had the opportunity, along with the Romford BID and the GLA’s UKSPF fund, to create and improve a green space just next to our local shops and businesses. We hope that the North Street Garden is somewhere residents and anyone working in the area and using our local shops can enjoy.”
In a nod to community involvement, Romford BID ran a poll asking the public to choose a name for the space. The name North Street Garden was chosen by a majority of voters, reinforcing the garden’s role as a shared and familiar local landmark.
Julie Frost, Director of Romford BID, added: “We’re thrilled to have helped to deliver this permanent green space for Romford. North Street Garden is more than just a name, it’s a reflection of how this space has become part of our community. We’re so pleased that the public helped us choose it!”
The opening of North Street Garden is more than a beautification project—it signals a growing commitment to urban greening, community engagement, and the reclaiming of public space for everyday enjoyment. Whether it’s for a lunch break, a pause during shopping, or a moment of reflection, the garden now offers a much-needed sanctuary in the heart of town.
With benches set beneath leafy canopies and planters buzzing with life, North Street Garden marks a fresh step forward in Romford’s environmental and community development—a small space with a big impact.
