As the crowds dispersed and Arsenal’s first Premier League trophy parade in 22 years came to a close, a dedicated team of council staff and councillors came together to lead one of the largest clean-up operations the borough has ever seen. They were supported by Arsenal Football Club, who fully funded the clean-up.

In the early hours of Monday 1 June, teams from across Islington Council were already out in force, working together to return the borough to its usual clean and welcoming state following the parade.

What followed was one of the largest co-ordinated clean-up operations in Islington’s history – a remarkable response to a remarkable day.

From Upper Street to the Emirates Stadium and beyond, streets that had been filled with hundreds of thousands of supporters were carefully and methodically cleaned. Bags of litter were collected, roads were swept, and public spaces were restored with great care.

Hundreds of staff from across the council got involved – in sunshine, wind, and pouring rain – to get Islington back to its very best.

One of the many involved in the clean-up was Henry Walters, Street Sweeper Operative. Reflecting on the clean-up, he said: “There were about 20 of us within my team but lots of others across the borough, within two hours of the parade ending we were out bagging rubbish, clearing gutters and removing glass and anything dangerous, trying to get everything back to normal as quickly as possible.”

“Seeing the amount of rubbish at the start was a real wow moment, but I’m proud of how determined the team was to just get in and get the job done.”

Arsenal praised the volunteers and council staff as “the best of the best”, and supportive comments flowed on social media as the clean-up took place.

One user praised those involved as the “unsung heroes of the parade”, while another added: “Thank you to everyone involved. We appreciate you guys.” While the scale of this operation was exceptional, it also shone a light on the vital work that happens every day across the borough.

Long before most residents begin their day, council staff are out on Islington’s streets, sweeping roads, emptying bins and keeping neighbourhoods clean. The title parade brought that work into the spotlight, highlighting the people who help keep Islington running smoothly no matter the occasion – making it happen for our incredible borough.