Erith is set to benefit from a £1.6m revamp following a successful bid to Sadiq Khan by the council.

Bexley Council has revealed plans for revamping empty shops and rejuvenating parts of the high street following funding from the London Mayor’s Good Growth Fund.

Early proposals have emerged to renovate the long-vacant units 67 and 68 in Pier Road into a “family-friendly cafe”, with a training kitchen for hire for food businesses and cooking sessions.

Erith High Street is set for a facelift as part of the Mayor’s handout, and extra cash will go to supporting start-ups with new offices in the town centre.

Councillor Louie French, Bexley’s deputy leader and cabinet member for growth, said: “I am delighted this latest round of funding will see the Riverside Gardens rejuvenated and refurbished based on designs developed in partnership with local residents and community organisations.

“The project will upgrade this much-loved open space to improve visibility of and engagement with the river, creating opportunities for the community to use the gardens for play, leisure activities, planting and learning."

Erith has been earmarked for major growth by the council, featuring heavily in its ambitious growth strategy – which sets out plans for 30,000 homes by 2050.

According to the growth strategy: “The Erith growth area will accommodate up to 6,000 new homes and 2,000 new jobs through the creation of a new, high quality, well served and sustainable settlement, enabled by a step change in transport and digital connectivity.

“This will include the renewal of Erith town centre, which will act as a focus for new homes, employment and leisure uses, combined with improved access to additional services and facilities.

“In particular, Erith town centre will become the focus of shared working and innovation facilities to support a substantial employment sector shift towards new engineering.”

Maker Movement is an industrial trend in which individuals re engineer existing products to provide new products, services, or efficiencies.

The council is planning more events on Erith Pier, with renovations for the public space at the entrance expected soon.

Carnegie Library has also been renovated as part of the Greater Erith Programme, funded by the council and the Mayor.

Work is expected to begin in April on Units 66 and 68.