High Street Lates proved a hit with guests last week, with a host of sporty fun and evening entertainment keeping crowds moving into the night.
Friends and families came together to enjoy mini golf, tennis and trampolining, or marvelled at the impressive BMX tricks being demonstrated as laughter and merriment filled the town centre. Others dared to test out the ferocious F1 simulator or safely sped up the 7.5m climbing wall, as proud parents watched on from the side.
This was the second successful event in the BR1 Lates programme, which looks to encourage more residents to spend their evenings locally following Bromley’s selection as one of the Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zones.
The joyous event also gave guests their first sight of the neurodiversity umbrella project installation - the first of its kind in London that was delivered in partnership with the ADHD Foundation – The Neurodiversity Charity, Your Bromley and sponsors Hanson Regan and Opnflo. The eye-catching canopy showed multi-coloured umbrellas strung together above a section of the high street to help change perceptions of neurodivergent people and celebrate the many strengths that come from thinking differently. One in five people have a neurodevelopmental condition which is an umbrella term including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said: “It was wonderful to see so many visitors having an enjoyable time on Bromley high street in the evening. We will certainly look to offer more special events and experiential offerings in all our town centres that will help support local businesses. I want to thank our partners for helping bring these great activities together. The event also highlighted the importance of our local sports clubs, who do so much to enhance the borough’s sport and wellbeing offering in line with our proud sporting history.”
London Night Czar, Amy Lamé said: “I was delighted to join so many residents and visitors in Bromley last night to enjoy the huge range of activities as part of the latest BR1 Lates event. From the fantastic silent disco and spectacular BMX tricks being demonstrated to the emerging businesses and sporting groups on show, it was great to see so many people out supporting the area at night. Our local high streets play a vital role in powering the economy and bringing together friends and communities. I am proud that through the Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zones we can unite partners and look forward to many more events of this kind as we continue building a better London for everyone.”
Further entertainment at High Street Lates included a silent disco, a sporting photography exhibition, a range of street food and bars, and a wellbeing zone, which included mini-health checks and advice from health specialists, along with relaxing massages and treatments.
Bromley Central Library stayed open late to join the excitement, hosting adult Lego, new Start Up Bromley businesses, Bromley Historic Collections, and a showing of the Bromley FC based film, ‘The Bromley Boys’.
The event also saw Team Bromley being congratulated for their strong performance at the London Youth Games by the Deputy Mayor of Bromley. Over 320 young people competed for Bromley who come an overall fourth out of all 32 other boroughs.
High Street Lates: A Sport and Wellbeing Festival, was the second event in Bromley’s BR1 Lates programme following Library Lates in April, which saw thousands visit Bromley Central Library over an evening. Next up, Bromley town centre will host a Winter Lights Spectacular in October.
The Night Time Enterprise Zone programme is investing £250,000 in events and improved infrastructure in Bromley town centre including lighting upgrades. Bromley Council and partners Your Bromley BID are collectively providing match funding to the grant received from the Mayor of London. The event programme is being delivered in partnership with Greenwich Leisure Limited, Proactive Bromley and Your Bromley.
To stay up to date with the next event visit www.bromley.gov.uk/br1lates.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk