Brent Parklets and Planters, London

Revitalising High Streets Across Wembley, Harlesden and Kilburn with our Planter and Parklets. 

As we all know our High streets have been hit hard by our changing online shopping habits along with the uncertainty and unpredictability following the after-effects of the COVID lockdown.

As many of Brent’s residents have shifted towards working from home and spending more time in their own local neighbourhoods, the council wanted to refresh the high streets for the new daytime generation to enjoy. 

The new initiatives have included everything from aesthetic and environmental improvements to new youth facilities and public artwork.

Wembley High Road

For Wembley High Road the council wanted to carry out improvement works to enhance the appearance and character of the high road including, new footway paving, lighting, seating areas and greenery with new trees and plants.  This is where our planters and parklets came into the equation, the planters with integrated seating allow the residents to sit and rest during their shopping and local residents in the surrounding flat to come out and enjoy the sunshine.

Harlesden Town Centre

Harlesden being a vibrant and multicultural centre within Brent is a priority area for the council.  There are a lot of major developments taking place and therefore the challenge is to retain the character and sense of place.

In early 2020, Brent Council acquired the former Picture Palace cinema building on Manor Park Road, Harlesden, and set aside funding for the renovation and refurbishment of the building.

Meristem was asked to install a series of planters surrounding the Picture Palace cinema to brighten up the frontage, and provide greenery, trees, plants and seating opportunities.

Kilburn High Road

Kilburn High Road is an important local town centre and is designated as one of 35 ‘major centres’ according to the Mayor’s London Plan.

The high road has lots of shops – both large retailers and small independents – a market, library, restaurants, pubs, and the Tricycle Theatre and Cinema. These all help to create Kilburn’s character and offer a wide range of goods and services to residents as well as to evening visitors to the restaurants and other attractions.

The objectives of the Kilburn High Road improvement scheme are to reduce the dominance of traffic on the high road, help create a place that people want to visit and spend time in, and support businesses.

The feedback led to our green interventions to make the high street greener through the inclusion of trees, planters, shrubs, and seating.