News

News

HRH visits neighbourhood renewal projects in Harlesden, North West London

5th March 2007

The Prince of Wales visited Harlesden in North West London today to see first-hand work to promote businesses run by members of Black, Asian and Ethnic minority communities.

His Royal Highness toured Harlesden High Street to see the work of NW10 Connect, which works toward neighbourhood renewal, and Business in the Community, of which he is President.

Business in the Community is one of The Prince’s Charities and works to promote corporate social responsibility across the UK.

The Prince visited shops and businesses on the vibrant high street and even danced to a reggae track of his choice when he visited Hawkeye Records with the Mayor of Brent.

While chatting about reggae he asked Gerald Anderson, owner of Hawkeye Records, to put on Good Thing Going by Sugar Minott, then he and the Brent Mayor Bertha Joseph enjoyed an impromptu jive to the tune in the small shop.

The record went to Number 1 in the UK charts when it was released by Hawkeye Records in 1980.

Owner of Hawkeye Records Mr Anderson thanked The Prince for coming.

He said: "Brent has received a lot of negative press and I'm glad you have come to see the other half."

Harlesden is one of the most diverse areas of the UK and is amongst the top 10 per cent most deprived wards in the country.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Team for Harlesden and Business in the Community established ‘NW10 Connect’ four years ago to develop the capacity of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic businesses in the area.

The project involves a network of 40 local businesses who aim to promote Harlesden both within Brent and across the London region as an area with a rich diversity of shops, products and services.

Outside the shops there were excited scenes as waiting crowds jostled to see The Prince.

His Royal Highness shook hands with well-wishers and chatted to people as he toured the street.

After visiting the Blue Mountain Peak grocery store and Juliet's Hair and Beauty Superstore, The Prince went on to the nearby Unity Community Centre to see projects that have been set up in partnership with local businesses, BITC and Brent Council.

The new Unity Community Centre in Harlesden opened in November 2006. The centre has been built as part of Fortunegate Community Housing’s long-term regeneration of the Church End and Roundwood estates.

The company started the last phase of the regeneration earlier this year and will complete the entire project, which began in 1999, in early 2008.

The centre will serve all the residents in the local area, offering a variety of resources and activities.

His Royal Highness was greeted with a traditional Caribbean dance performed by children from Newfield Primary School and afterwards met representatives of groups working towards community regeneration.

Afterwards Carol Allen, head of the neighbourhood renewal team for Harlesden and Stonebridge, thanked The Prince for coming.

In reply, The Prince said it was "wonderful to see how thriving the high street seemed to be."

He added: "I don't think I have enjoyed myself so much for a long time going down the high street and popping into one or two shops. I'm sorry I couldn't go into more of them."

Founded in 1982, BITC is the largest and one of the oldest organisations promoting corporate responsibility.  Click here to read more about Business in the Community.