Harrow residents reveal how they’d spend £1 million.
The article reached over 35,000 individuals and received hundreds of answers, with residents expressing detailed plans for investing in the borough.
The proposals ranged from parks and policing to youth services and the high street. Sharon Patel stated that she would prioritise helping individuals in need:
“A soup kitchen for the homeless or anyone in need of a meal would be a fantastic idea.
Rather than building shelters out of cardboard boxes, invest in tents and locate a vacant plot that has been neglected for years where people can sleep safely.
It should have adequate lavatory and toilet facilities and be secure for everyone’s protection. That is what I would do with part of my money.
Several residents stated that they would invest in young people. Dahlia Flower wrote:
“If I had £1 million in Harrow, I would open a youth center that provides support sessions for youngsters who are suffering in school, assisting them in improving both academically and socially.
The centre would also offer nighttime drop-in sessions on various days for different age groups, including girls-only, boys-only, and mixed safe places where young people could relax, obtain advice, and feel encouraged.
It would also provide volunteer opportunities for persons who are passionate about helping young people and wish to obtain work experience in this subject.”
One suggestion from Faisal Talukdar was to create a playgroup for children aged 0-6 years from 7am to 7pm, allowing parents to pay whatever they can afford while working.
Another suggestion was to clean up Harrow’s town centers and green spaces. Sneha Ramji suggested improving the high street by adding more high-end shops with standard shop fronts.
Increase police patrols. Have more flowers and greenery. Make the places lovely.
It may appear that there is much more to be done, but when you create a place where people desire to be, attitudes begin to shift. People can begin to take pride again.
When New York was crime-ridden in the 1990s, they implemented a zero tolerance policy, which meant that throwing chewing gum on the pavement was not acceptable. Crime rates began to decline overall.
When you visit Spain, everyone takes care of the front of their homes, keeping them tidy and adorned with flowers, for example. If everyone puts in the effort and takes pride, Harrow, too, has hope.”
Stephen Geraghty also supported a long-term regeneration strategy.
He stated, “I would use the money to improve Harrow by cleaning up the high street, renovating parks and green areas, and increasing security measures such as CCTV over the next ten years. After meeting with over 1,000 locals, I will create a regeneration plan.
If the consultation reveals that residents respect Harrow’s’strong community spirit, pleasant atmosphere, market heritage, and good transit links’ yet want to see the town cleaner, safer, and more dynamic with better shops, parks, lights, and community spaces.”Others emphasised practical improvements.Mick White stated:
“Enlarge trash recycling facilities. Then enable everyone to bring garbage 24 hours a day, free for all and free for trade.
As a result, fly tipping is eliminated, as are the millions of dollars spent to clean it up. “Long-term solution.” How would you spend £1 million in Harrow?
Please let us know in the comments.
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