Barnet Council has brought the renewal of a “tired” row of shops one step closer to reality by pledging £20,000 to the project.

Salcombe Gardens is a row of six shops in Mill Hill which has become run down over time, to the dismay of community activists who began a campaign for its regeneration in May.

On Thursday, the Hendon Area Committee decided to match a donation made by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at the start of the month.

Mill Hill Neighbourhood Forum is using the online crowd funding website Spacehive to collect donations for the project. They are now only £25,580 away from their £65,385 target.

Richard Logue, chair of the Mill Hill Residents Association said: “I am absolutely delighted with the council’s decision, especially having heard it was unanimous across all parties.

“Now I’m looking forward to the final push for donations and really just getting on with this important job.”

Donations of £653 have already been made by 47 residents living in the area.

They hope the large-scale donations give the six businesses on the row the confidence to add their money, as well as persuading more residents to donate as the project looks more feasible.

Members of the Forum believe Salcombe Gardens, which they say has “possibly the best fish and chip shop in North West London”, has fallen out of step with the continued development of the surrounding residential area.

They want to regenerate the row, which sits across from Mill Hill East Church, in time for the development of a new residential care home for the elderly to the right of the street.

If successful, the forum believes the project will encourage people living nearby to walk or cycle to the shops, rather than driving further afield to buy everyday items.

The council’s decision was pushed through following an emergency request by Labour councillor Adam Langleben on behalf of the Neighbourhood Forum.

Cllr Langleben, who represents West Hendon, said: “I'm delighted the Area Committee agreed to match-fund this project in partnership with the Mayor and I hope local residents and businesses will support it by pledging funds too.”

Anyone can make a donation to the project at its Spacehive page: http://www.spacehive.com/uplift-salcombe-gardens-shops