A run-down shopping parade which has been transformed into a “vibrant and unique” community space will officially open on Saturday.

The Grand Arcade, at the top of High Road, North Finchley, was spruced up as part of a £1.4million grant to revitalise the area.

Barnet Borough Council gave the North Finchley Town Team £380,000 for the project, on top of £1.1million from the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund.

A further £70,000 grant from Barnet Council will help the team run the three units in the arcade, where businesses can showcase their products in 'pop-up shops' for two-week stints.

The Grand Arcade’s official launch party will take place on Saturday, June 28.

Town team chairman Darren Shea said: “It’s so exciting - it’s going to be a real vibrant addition to our community with lots of unique products.

“The area will constantly change, you’ll never see the same thing there twice which what makes it so different. We wamt to encourage people to shop locally.

“We feel we now have a perfect mix of culture, commerce and community to bring something new to North Finchley and give people a reason to come here.”

The arcade will include a gallery, workshop spaces and hot desks for everyone in the area to use.

Its official opening will include a design exhibition as well as music, dance and craft workshops for children.

The North Finchley Feast will also take place in the Lodge Lane car park, just off the High Road in North Finchley.

Mr Shea added: “It’s been a mammoth task getting the project to this stage and we hope people really do get involved and use the space."

The celebration event will be held from 10am to 4pm at the Grand Arcade on Saturday, June 28.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.mynorthfinchley.co.uk