A BIG thank you to St James Big Local

St James Street Big Local has spent the past decade proving what can happen when a community is trusted to shape its own future. As the programme reaches its final chapter, its legacy is becoming clearer than ever. It is not only a record of projects delivered, but a lasting shift in how local people see themselves, their neighbourhood, and their collective power.

A decade of resident driven change

The Big Local journey began when the St James Street area received a one million pound grant in 2012. A resident partnership formed soon after, and by 2016 the first plan was in motion. What followed was a remarkable period of creativity and collaboration that transformed the area in ways that feel both practical and deeply personal.

Some of the most visible achievements include

• A series of murals that brought colour and identity to the streets
• The establishment of CRATE St James, now a lively home for independent businesses
• The creation of the 1B Window Gallery, which gave artists and residents a place to share their work
• A programme of events that helped neighbours meet, celebrate, and take pride in their community

These projects were not imposed from outside. They were imagined, shaped, and delivered by the people who live here. That is the essence of the Big Local experiment, which gives communities both funding and freedom, and trusts them to decide what matters most.

A final artwork that captures the spirit of the place

The final major commission is a striking mural by Angry Dan, celebrating the diverse migratory heritage that defines St James Street. It stands at Pulse and Pickle, where the High Street meets Courtenay Mews, and it tells a story of movement, belonging, and the many cultures that have shaped the area.

It is a fitting final piece. It reflects the creativity that has become a hallmark of the Big Local years, and it honours the people who make the neighbourhood what it is.

Listening to residents and planning for the future

Every three years, the partnership has produced a plan that responds directly to what residents say they want. This final plan looks back at everything achieved so far, but it also looks ahead. Residents asked for more opportunities to connect, more colour in public spaces, and more ways to influence what happens around them. The plan sets out how these ambitions can continue even as the formal programme comes to an end.

A legacy built on confidence, connection, and collaboration

The most powerful legacy of St James Street Big Local is not a single project. It is the confidence that residents now have in their ability to shape their neighbourhood. It is the relationships built between local people, businesses, and organisations. It is the belief that change is possible when people come together with a shared purpose.

The newly formed St James Collective is the clearest expression of this legacy. This group brings residents and local stakeholders together, including the Council’s regeneration team, to share ideas and work collaboratively on new projects. It ensures that the energy and ambition of the Big Local years will continue long after the funding has been spent.

A beginning disguised as an ending

The Big Local programme was always intended to be temporary, but its impact is designed to last. In St James Street, it has created a stronger, more connected community with a clearer sense of identity and possibility. The murals, markets, galleries, and events are important, but the real achievement is the shift in mindset. Residents now know they can shape the place they live in, and they have the networks and experience to keep doing it.

As the programme draws to a close, the story is far from over. The foundations are strong, the community is organised, and the Collective is ready to carry the work forward. St James Street Big Local may be completing its final plan, but the legacy it leaves behind is only just beginning.

If you would like to get involved with the St James Collective, please email james.martin@walthamforest.gov.uk