The year-long programme of events will mark the centenary of the Great West Road and celebrate the Golden Mile's continued economic importance.
Published: Friday, 9th May 2025
Hounslow Council has launched Golden Mile 100 (GM100), a year-long programme of events, in partnership with various stakeholders including West London Business and community groups such as Brentford Voice.
The programme will mark the Great West Road’s centenary and celebrate the Golden Mile’s continued economic importance, rich legacy of industrial innovation, and iconic architecture.
The GM100 programme features a rich, varied line-up of events which appeal to all ages and interests, including Hounslow’s Summer of Culture events.
GM100 brings together residents, businesses, and community groups to explore the vibrant history and modern resurgence of this historic corridor, from the Gillette Factory to the reimagining of the former GSK building.
This year the Golden Mile is part of the recently launched London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2025 programme, showcasing events rooted in community, creativity and place. From Great West Road cycling tours and immersive screenings at the iconic Gillette Factory, to hands-on design workshops and talks inside landmark buildings like the SEGA and JCDecaux sites, there is something for everyone.
History enthusiasts can enjoy audio-visual exhibitions on the 1925 opening of the Great West Road. Young people and students can take part in creative sessions hosted by the University of West London, including architecture taster days and a social hackathon.
Community voices are at the heart of the programme, with interactive events reimagining the Golden Mile in 2125 and activating underused public spaces.
The celebration events will showcase iconic Art Deco buildings, promote local creative industries, and engage communities in shaping the future of this fast-evolving part of west London.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, said:
The Golden Mile has shaped west London’s industrial and cultural identity for the past century. It has been a driver for economic growth on a large scale, as well as supporting residents of our borough with fantastic employment opportunity - indeed my grandmother, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked in factories along the Great West Road.
With Golden Mile 100, we’re honouring that legacy and looking ahead. Through these creative events, partnerships with universities, and our investment strategy, we’re setting the foundations for the Golden Mile’s next 100 years.
This is a celebration for everyone; history buffs and architecture lovers, art enthusiasts, and students, families and future city-makers. This celebration is about more than heritage — it’s about community, imagination and growth. Whether you’re a long-time resident, a local business, or a visitor discovering this stretch for the first time, GM100 is your chance to engage with the past and help shape the Golden Mile’s future. I would encourage you to sign up to as many events as you can and enjoy these celebrations.
Hounslow’s role as an LFA 2025 Destination highlights the borough’s pride in its heritage and commitment to inclusive placemaking. The programme is a cornerstone of the borough’s wider growth agenda and reflects Hounslow Council’s mission to preserve the past while driving a sustainable, creative and prosperous future.
Rosa Rogina, Director of the London Festival of Architecture, said:
We’re thrilled to spotlight the Brentford Golden Mile as an LFA Destination for 2025.
The centenary celebrations offer a powerful opportunity to amplify local voices, explore the area’s architectural legacy, and inspire new visions for urban regeneration. This programme exemplifies the Festival’s spirit of dialogue, experimentation, and place-based storytelling – and we can’t wait for audiences to discover the energy and potential of this historic corridor.
To find out more and sign up to events, visit: https://goldenmile.london/
