A £2million regeneration project is due to be completed this month.

It was announced at the Neighbourhoods and Communities Service Committee meeting last night that the Better Barkingside project will be opened on September 27.

The project has included the creation of a new town square and Virginia Gardens parkland area, as well as business support projects, with around 40 companies receiving shop-front improvements or development support.

Work started in September last year and Redbridge council is due to announce the shortlist for the naming of the new town square on Tuesday, when people will have a chance to vote for their preferred option.

The overall winner will then be announced by Cllr Helen Coomb, Labour cabinet member for regeneration, at a special Light Night event on September 27.

Running between 10am and 9pm in High Street, Barkingside, there will be music, theatre, food and drink on offer, with handmade lanterns designed by schoolchildren, residents and businesses in the community.

Cllr Coomb said: “We understand that good local community facilities are extremely important, both to local residents and to people visiting Redbridge.

“That is why, after two years of hard work, I am pleased to announce that Barkingside’s new town square will host Light Night, its first official event.

“We want residents to take pride in their local community and feel that their views are taken seriously. That is why we have asked people to put forward their suggestions for the square’s new name.”