Hayes Town Centre Regeneration Plan Faces Council Vote

Hillingdon Council is scheduled to approve a new regeneration framework for Hayes Town Centre next week. This marks the council's first spatial strategy for the town, aiming to address significant deprivation despite its proximity to Heathrow Airport and the Elizabeth line.

Local census data suggests that despite population growth and new businesses, residents are not settling long-term in Hayes. A council report attributes this to a perceived lack of social amenities, civic pride, and connectivity within the town.

Concerns over Safety and Retail Decline

The framework seeks to counter a decline in higher-value retail units along the high street, which a report by Jas Bhalla Works indicates has been replaced by establishments like pawnbrokers, gambling shops, and fast-food outlets. This shift has coincided with increasing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Crime surveys highlight that 54% of students feel unsafe in certain areas of Hayes, leading them to avoid these locations. Furthermore, 44% of shopkeepers reported that anti-social behaviour negatively affects their businesses, with 56% of these incidents occurring in the evening.

The report also notes a shortage of public spaces for community gathering, with shops and fast-food restaurants often serving as informal meeting points, particularly for young people. This situation has broader implications for health and wellbeing, according to the council.

Framework Themes and Future Actions

The proposed framework is built around five strategic themes designed to tackle these issues. These include fostering a 'thriving town centre' to strengthen the high street's economic role, and developing 'active connections' to ensure safe movement between the station, high street, and surrounding neighbourhoods.

A 'greener, bluer Hayes' theme aims to connect the high street with local canals, parks, and green spaces, promoting a healthier environment. Improvements to social and leisure provisions will focus on bringing vacant units back into public use and enhancing streets and public spaces to feel safer and more inviting.

The final theme, 'celebrating heritage', intends to build future partnerships by recognising Hayes' unique identity. Key areas identified for development include Station Road and Coldharbour Lane, which form the town centre's commercial spine, and leveraging assets like Hayes and Harlington station and the Grand Union Canal.

Once approved by the Cabinet on Thursday, November 20, the council will use the framework to guide discussions and attract investment. Immediate next steps involve confirming delivery arrangements and developing business cases for priority projects, with an initial focus on 'quick-win' initiatives.