A regeneration office will open in Mitcham later this year to deliver business support services, training and employment support for local people as well as town centre management and marketing services.

Merton Council will manage the office, with funding from the London Development Agency’s (LDA) Local Opportunities Fund and will set it up as part of the ‘Mitcham Means Business’ project.

The project aims to develop and market the distinctive identity of Mitcham during the redevelopment period, to retain and expand the business community, and to enhance the skills and experience of the local labour force.

It follows the council’s ‘Towards Thriving Project’ project, which was also funded by the LDA and will conclude at the end of this month.

Other improvements planned as part of Mitcham Means Business include:

· Replacing outdated street furniture in the town centre
· Cleaning-up Mitcham Fair Green including planting lavender and refurbishing the town centre’s grade II-listed clock tower
· Developing a marketing strategy to entice shoppers and businesses to the new town centre.

Richard Rawes, Merton Council’s Director of Environment and Regeneration, said:

“This funding approval is a major boost to the proposed redevelopment of Mitcham and has put the town well and truly on the map as one of the leading regeneration projects in South London.”