The long-awaited regeneration of Gunnersbury Park and Museum has taken another step forward, with the formation of a management company to help secure its future.

A £21m restoration of the 72-hectare park, on the borders of Ealing and Hounslow boroughs, and its many listed buildings began last year using Lottery cash and investment from the two councils.

Now a community interest company (CIC) has been formally incorporated to oversee the long-term development of the park in Brentford.

Gunnersbury Estate (2026) CIC will run the park but will remain answerable to the two councils, which jointly own the organisation.

It is currently recruiting staff, beginning with a curator, a public programme officer, a head gardener and two learning assistants.

Councillor Ed Mayne, Hounslow Council's leisure chief, said: "Gunnersbury is one of west London's best-loved parks and it's vitally important that we make sure we support the investment that is being made in restoration with a management organisation that can successfully take it into the 21st century."

Ealing Council leader Julian Bell said: "The future of the park will be more secure now, with decisions being made quicker, allowing the park's potential to be maximised.

"The new management approach also means the park’s funding will be protected from any changes in the budgets the council gets going forward and they can reinvest any surplus funds the park generates."

Gunnersbury Park was purchased for the nation from the Rothschild family and opened to the public in 1926.

It is home to a number of historic buildings and monuments, many of which ended up on The Heritage At Risk Register of endangered structures following a long period of under-investment in the park.

The park's ongoing £21m restoration is the first phase of a project to restore the grounds to their former glory and increase the number of visitors by 2026, hence the name of the management company.

For more about the regeneration of Gunnersbury Park and how to apply for the jobs available, visit at www.visitgunnersbury.org.