The centre has been funded by the Mayor and will be run by local charity London Youth Support Trust. Johnson said in a statement that the centre is intended to provide "a raft of employment and training services for new businesses". It will also work to keep local businesses in the area by developing an outreach programme to negotiate affordable lease rates with local landlords.
The centre is located on the site of a listed building which has been restored following fire damage caused during the riots in the summer of 2011. It is part of a wider regeneration programme by the Mayor and Haringey Council aimed at rejuvenating Tottenham by increasing employment and investment opportunities in the area.
The Mayor has provided the Council with £28m to fund the delivery of projects in Tottenham. As well as the funding for the new centre, this figure includes £2.5m to fund physical improvements to rejuvenate Tottenham High Road and £1.5m to support employment and skills projects in the area.
“The transformation of 639 High Road from a dilapidated shell into a buzzing new enterprise centre heralds a really bright future for the people of Tottenham," Johnson said. "This fantastic building is now home to a cornucopia of services all aimed at boosting skills, helping people into work, fostering entrepreneurship and encouraging more people into volunteering through Team London."
“It’s great that one of Tottenham’s landmark buildings has been transformed into a community space that will support the wider regeneration of the area," said Council leader Claire Kober.
"The space and practical support for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs here is outstanding, and I hope that the guidance from dedicated advisors at 639 will also help our young people find the jobs, work experience and training they need to secure lasting employment," she said.
