Walthamstow's vibrant High Street and town centre has been radically enhanced thanks to three major regeneration projects aimed at making the area an even better place to live and work.

NOW funding has been used to transform The Town Square and Gardens, provide a striking new bus station and enhance the Hig Street. This work took place from 1999 to 2004 and won the Mayor of London's 2004 Award for Planning Excellence. The three projects also won the only Commendation awarded in 2004 by the British Council of Shopping Centres for a town centre environment scheme.

Town Square and Gardens public art "marker" as seen from Selborne Walk shopping centre		Town Square and Gardens plus performance area as seen from the High Street

The Town Square and Gardens connecting the bus station, High Street and shopping centre have been given a £1.7m makeover funded by the NOW programme and the European Regional Development Fund. The design by Building Design Partnership (BDP) includes a raised performance area, the borough's busiest under-five's play area, and a sensory garden, with attractive planting and better lighting, to create a more useable and enjoyable, secure environment. The work was completed in 2004.

High Street by day and night.

Walthamstow High Street is the bustling hub of the area with high street shops, market traders and a diverse range of outlets giving Walthamstow a colourful and vibrant identity. NOW funding has been used to help make the High Street more accessible and easy to use by residents, retailers and stallholders. Work includes:

	Improving the lighting along the whole High Street
	Market area refurbishment
	Creation of new marker cones to define the high street and pavement areas
	Resurfacing and replacement of worn road and pavement surfaces
	Raised speed tables and other traffic calming

The funding has helped improve the evening economy of the high street, cater for more cafés and pedestrians, whilst also creating an enhanced shopping environment.