An extraordinary story
of community action
and resilience.
An extraordinary story
of community action
and resilience.
An extraordinary story
of community action
and resilience.
STONEBRIDGE -
A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS
Though intended as a post-war utopia, Harlesden's Stonebridge estate was in reality a disaster incorporating all the problems associated with high-rise, high-density housing. By 1981,
the unemployment rate for young people on the estate was estimated to be over 50% and many had been drawn into a life of crime. With no community facilities to help meet residents' needs, a crisis of this scale was inevitable.
An extraordinary story
of community action
and resilience.
1981
STONEBRIDGE -
A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS
Though intended as a post-war utopia, Harlesden's Stonebridge estate was in reality a disaster incorporating all the problems associated with high-rise, high-density housing. By 1981,
the unemployment rate for young people on the estate was estimated to be over 50% and with no community facilities to help meet residents' needs, many turned to a life of crime.
BRIXTON UPRISING
On 10 April, anger over 'Swamp 81' – a massive stop and search operation in Brixton which largely targeted young Black males – erupted in urban unrest. Similar racist tactics used in other cities led to further outbreaks of public anger. By the end of the summer, uprisings had occurred in nearly 30 towns and cities across Britain. To learn more about the events of 1981 explore the Black Cultural Archives’ subject guide: UPRISINGS
STONEBRIDGE -
A TICKING TIME BOMB
In Stonebridge, racial tensions had reached boiling point and one summer evening local youth began to gather on the estate, ready for a violent clash with the police. At the time, Brent had the highest proportion of Black and minority ethnic people in Britain and within the borough, Stonebridge had the largest percentage of Black residents (over 70%).
A LANDMARK DEAL IS REACHED
In March, Stonebridge bus garage was purchased on behalf of the HPCC for £1.8 million by Brent Council, in conjunction with the Greater London Council and the Department of the Environment. A steering group – comprising seven HPCC members, two Brent councillors and three other community representatives – was then established and granted a license to develop the site.
THE HPCC SECURES VITAL
FUNDING IN BRUSSELS
Despite having no experience in running a large-scale social enterprise, the HPCC managed to successfully lobby various local, national and international bodies (including the European Social Fund) for millions of pounds to convert the bus garage.
1983
PHASE ONE OPENS
TO THE PUBLIC
In September, phase one involving the conversion of the two-storey office block adjacent to the main shed, opened to the public. The new space contained Brent's first Information Technology Centre (ITEC), a creche for working mothers on the estate, many of whom were single parents, and changing rooms to service the nearby Stonebridge Recreation Ground.
POLITICIANS VISIT
Phase one was deemed a great success and was visited by numerous senior ministers including the then Home Secretary, Leon Brittan.
1985
THE HPCC VISIT WATTS
From early on in the project, the HPCC were mentored by American civil rights activist, Ted Watkins, who founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) in 1965 prior to the Watts Uprising, the largest and costliest urban rebellion of the Civil Rights era. Watkins was invited to Britain in the aftermath of 1981 and began a close friendship with the HPCC, who in 1985 travelled to South Central LA to visit Watts in person and learn from the experiences of its residents.
VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AGAIN IN BRIXTON AND OTHER BLACK URBAN AREAS ACROSS BRITAIN
To learn more explore the Black Cultural Archives’ subject guide: UPRISINGS
1987
WORK ON THE MAIN SHED NEARS COMPLETION AND A CALL OUT IS SENT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
One third of the main shed was dedicated to providing units for local businesses. Before Bridge Park, there were no managed workspaces in Brent. The centre provided three types (industrial workshops, office units and retail units) and employed a business advisor to provide support to fledgling local businesses.
1996
CHANGE OF HANDS
Brent Council takes over management of Bridge Park. Though no longer community-led, the centre remained an invaluable community asset, developing people such as the renowned stage and screen actor, Ray Fearon and Premiere League footballer, Raheem Sterling.
2020
HPCC LOSE HIGH COURT CASE OVER OWNERSHIP
The High Court declares Brent Council the “sole legal and beneficial owner of Bridge Park”. Further appeals to overturn the judgement are unsuccessful leaving Bridge Park and its cultural legacy at risk of being erased.
"NO ONE IS GOING TO
HELP US, WE HAVE TO HELP OURSELVES"
In 1981, a 25-year-old Leonard Johnson returned home from prison with a message for his community.
THE HARLESDEN PEOPLE'S COMMUNITY COUNCIL IS FORMED IN MARCH
The community action group was made up of young Black people from the estate and was chaired by Leonard Johnson. Together their objective was to develop self-help and community empowerment strategies to tackle deprivation in Stonebridge. Early activities included maths, english, drama, electronics and black history classes, all run from a small garage on the estate.
"LET'S BUILD, NOT DESTROY ... LET'S RIOT, BUT QUIET AT THE NEGOTIATION TABLE"
Leonard began to remonstrate with those ready to fight and people started to listen.
HPCC FIGHTS TO SECURE A DISUSED BUS GARAGE FOR THE COMMUNITY
In August, Stonebridge bus garage (located on the edge of the estate) was put up for sale. The HPCC identified the site, as a potential base for the community and proposed the idea to Brent Council, who having witnessed the group's success in preventing a rebellion in Stonebridge, welcomed their proposal.
1982
FOR THE COMMUNITY,
BY THE COMMUNITY
The steering group ensured that half a million pounds of the development cost was spent with local people, developing three local construction companies to carry out the work.
1984
WORK ON THE MAIN
SHED BEGINS
Phase one constituted only a small part of the overall proposition and in 1984, work began on the main shed. Once converted, the new space would provide 32 start-up units for local businesses, a 1250-seat sports hall, 400-seat entertainment hall, 120-seat training centre, 24-track recording studio, restaurant and bar.
1986
WORK ON THE MAIN SHED CONTINUES...
1988
KING CHARLES III
INAUGURATES THE CENTRE
The centre was officially inaugurated on 20 December 1988 by King Charles who proclaimed “Bridge Park is one of the most important developments that I have seen anywhere in this country for a long time". Upon opening, the centre became the largest Black-led community enterprise in Europe.
THE PEOPLE'S PALACE
The seeds of change sown by Leonard Johnson and the HPCC had finally bloomed. Bridge Park was empowering the people of Stonebridge, serving 3,000 individuals every week and providing jobs for 200 local people who would otherwise have been unemployed. 32 start-ups were housed, the ITEC was training 50 unemployed school-leavers every two years and demand for the creche was so high upon opening in 1983 that within a few months the register had closed. Lastly, despite the fragile state of Britain’s inner cities throughout the 1980s, an uprising never took place in Stonebridge.
BRIDGE PARK IS
CONDITIONALLY SOLD TO AN OFFSHORE DEVELOPER
The conditional sale of the site to General Mediterranean Holding
sparks a lengthy legal battle over ownership between the council and the community.
2023
LEONARD JOHNSON (1956 - 2023) https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/24/leonard-johnson-obituary
2017
SAVE BRIDGE PARK IS LAUNCHED
2024
BLUE PLAQUE UNVEILING
On July 21st, a commemorative plaque was installed on Bridge Park's facade by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, in memory of Leonard Johnson and his role in founding one of the largest Black-led community projects in Europe.