Ealing businesses can apply for grants of up to £20,000 through a new £1.4 million fund aimed at improving the borough’s high streets and shopping areas.

Ealing Council’s Thriving Towns Fund covers Ealing, Acton, Southall, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt and Perivale.

Businesses can propose improvements such as refurbished shopfronts, better lighting, planting, seating or easier access for disabled customers.

Business Improvement Districts, trade associations and other eligible groups can apply for up to £10,000 for activities designed to attract shoppers.

The £1.4 million supports the programme as a whole and is not a guaranteed allocation for each town.

Applications are open through Ealing Council’s online engagement platform until midday on Monday 30 November 2026, with applicants expected to hear the outcome by 11 December.

Plans for a London Overground route through Acton have gained backing from 186 businesses and organisations, strengthening calls for government investment.

The proposed West London Orbital Railway would link Hounslow and Hendon via Acton Central and South Acton, with up to six trains an hour through the area.

Supporters say it could make journeys to jobs, education and transport connections across West and North West London easier without travelling through the centre.

Transport for London estimates the wider scheme could support up to 25,000 homes and 11,500 jobs, but these remain projections.

Construction funding has not been secured, although £6.65 million is available for further design and planning, and no opening date has been confirmed.

Locally, possible permanent closures of the Churchfield Road and Bollo Lane level crossings have raised concerns for residents and businesses.

The proposals remain under consultation, with comments due to Transport for London by 18 November 2026.

Ealing Hospital has been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission, improving from its previous Requires Improvement rating.

The rating follows a July 2026 inspection, with findings published on 21 October.

Inspectors found that patients arriving at the Southall hospital’s emergency department were assessed more quickly, with better staffing, supervision, privacy and infection control.

Urgent and emergency care is now rated Good, as is end-of-life care.

Between July 2025 and June 2026, patients were typically triaged within 14 minutes, meeting the national 15-minute guideline.

But challenges remain for Ealing residents relying on urgent care: in June 2026, only 59.3% of ambulance patients were handed over within 30 minutes, against a 95% national target.

The hospital’s responsiveness remains rated Requires Improvement, while refurbishment of the emergency department continues.

The inspection marks welcome progress for patients, but shows why reducing delays still matters.

Southall FC has partnered with Puri Pharmacy to arrange free heart checks for around 40 players and staff, highlighting the gap in cardiac screening access between professional and grassroots football.

Local businesses and club sponsors funded the session, scheduled for 22 October 2026 at Rectory Park in Northolt.

The checks include a resting 12-lead ECG recorded by the pharmacy and reviewed by UK cardiologists, alongside separate finger-prick blood tests provided through Lenira Health.

An ECG can flag some abnormalities that need further assessment, but a normal result cannot rule out every heart condition.

Anyone experiencing chest pain, fainting or unexplained breathlessness during exercise should seek medical advice.

Puri Pharmacy hopes the partnership will help other community sports clubs make screening more accessible.

Families in Southall and Acton are coming together through sports, creative workshops and gardening activities supported by the Peabody Community Foundation and local organisations.

At Windmill Park Community Centre in Southall, children have enjoyed free summer arts, music and sports sessions, while a family fun day brought neighbours together for games, crafts and refreshments.

Activities are continuing during the school year, with further sessions planned for the December and Easter holidays.

In Acton, families at Westcott Park have joined holiday activities and a garden fun day, where residents learned about the site’s 10 community beehives.

At Friary Park, residents have planted and grown produce through a community garden project and celebrated their work at a harvest event.

Peabody says residents are helping shape future activities, giving families more chances to meet neighbours and enjoy community life close to home.

Looking for things to do in Ealing this week? From a canal-side festival and outdoor cinema to live theatre, film, family activities and local walks, there are plenty of reasons to get out and explore the borough.

Great Local Experiences to Try in the London Borough of Ealing. 

You don't have to head into central London to find something interesting to do this weekend. From a brand-new photography exhibition and contemporary art to hilltop views, a family zoo and a little local history, there's plenty to discover closer to home.

Here are seven ideas for exploring Ealing Borough over the weekend.

Content syndication empowers businesses to extend the reach of their articles, blogs, and insights far beyond a single website.

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Partnering with platforms like Iroma Media helps local businesses turn a single piece into an ongoing asset, making their content investment work even harder.

If your business struggles to get content noticed, syndication could be the missing piece for greater reach and authority.

Age UK Ealing is an independent local charity supporting older people in and around the London Borough of Ealing.

It promotes their wellbeing and interests, helping them live fulfilling, independent lives.

The charity is based at Greenford Community Centre, 170 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford UB6 9JS, and can be contacted at [email protected].