Leader Cllr Peray Ahmet and Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy Cllr Ruth Gordon joined ward councillors, traders and residents to celebrate the transformation taking place.
The former toilets in Bruce Grove have been converted and extended into a new community café hosted by Dubai Coffee and accessible public toilets to bring the small, elegant Victorian building back into use.
Highlights of the St Mark’s Methodist Church renovation include the repair and cleansing of the entire frontage, new energy efficient windows, extensive shop front enhancements and a new car park surface surrounded by planting.
To celebrate the completion of works, a special service of thanksgiving was held and the tower lit up outside.
Cllr Gordon said:
We have amazing architectural gems across our borough, and I’m delighted these two valued assets have been restored.
The projects will bring far-reaching benefits to Tottenham and not only honour our pledge to improve the high street but also the area’s heritage.
We’ve worked side-by-side with the community on both restorations, and it’s been great to see co-production and people’s creativity put into action.
Both schemes have been made possible with funding from Haringey Council and the generous support of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone, alongside GLA Good Growth funding for the café and support from the congregation at St Mark’s for that project.
Built in 1938 and often likened to the South Bank’s OXO Tower, the St Mark’s frontage and square tower stand as a visual focal point in the heart of the Bruce Grove Conservation Area.
The main entrance to the church has been transformed with new doors, canopy, lighting and signage as part of the project, which has involved the community shaping the future look and feel of the area.
Currently serving as a hub for both community and commercial activities, St Mark’s is home to five businesses and hosts a congregation of around 300 people of all ages.
The Bruce Grove café project, which includes a new garden room extension, was championed by local campaign group The Last Elm who worked with the council and heritage experts to capture and protect the significance of the building, both above and below ground.
The projects are part of the wider Shaping Tottenham programme, which was built on engagement via Tottenham Voices - a collaboration between local communities, the council and partners to develop priorities for Tottenham’s future.
