The finishing touches to a £1.4million improvement project will be made in North Finchley this month.

The town centre received almost £1.1 million from the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund, to which £380,000 was added by Barnet Borough Council to make the area look nicer as well as boost economic vitality.

A group of volunteers was put together to form a North Finchley Town Team to help decide what improvements should be made.

These have included planting 20 new trees with lighting around Tally Ho corner and the high street, new benches and a new set of historic plaques on the railings of the Tally Ho pub.

A Saturday food market was also piloted in Lodge Lane car park and a memorial bench and plaque is due to be installed outside Sainsbury’s in honour of much-loved Finchley character, Horace White who died in September 2012.

The town team has also been busy revitalising three empty units in the Grand Arcade to create a gallery, workshop spaces and hot desks for everyone in the area to use.

Speaking to the Times Series, town team chairman Darren Shea said: “There was a real lack of community space in the town centre and we wanted to tackle that.

“We’ve created assets for the community and a reason for people to come to the area. Hopefully when people come to the Grand Arcade they will then explore the rest of the town, benefitting other local businesses.”

The revamped units should be ready to open in May.

Council leader Councillor Richard Cornelius said: “It has been important to support our local economies during these difficult times and this scheme helped give North Finchley town centre a boost.

“I hope the local traders and residents will now keep the ball rolling and continue to do their bit to support their high street.”