As expected, businesses in the north west of the City of London have voted to establish a Business Improvement District, and will pay a levy that is expected to generate £9 million over the next five years. The Culture Mile BID website says: “Driven by the private sector, the Culture Mile BID will go live read more
Update1 : I’ve located a recording of the City residents meeting on January 11 where policy chair Chris Hayward promised more consultation in future with residents on changes in Culture Mile. I’ve added more on that below and here. Update2: following committee discussion on January 23 it is clearer that the offer to the Business read more
I originally drafted this piece for a column in the EC1 Echo, but space is tight this time and we’ll revisit in print in the New Year. Meanwhile there’s discussion on Twitter about the cost and focus of the Destination City programme, and future use of the Museum of London site. The Culture Mile Business read more
For the past five years Culture Mile has been a programme of activities and projects in the north west of the City, a way of branding the area, and a team coordinating development. Some of that is changing, but quite how much won’t be clear for a few months. City Corporation committees have now approved read more
Update: The City’s Policy and Resources committee approved proposals for the CultureMile BID on October 20, with little discussion. Several members pressed for clear methods for resident involvement. Guidance was that this would be through steering groups. There was no specific mention of a community forum. Video of the committee discussion here. Proposals for a read more
Visitors to the City’s north west cultural district now have a guide to venues, heritage sites, entertainment and shopping on the Culture Mile website. The guide is a demonstration of one of the projects planned if the area becomes a Business Improvement District. Each of the guide records has a short entry with a “Learn read more
Below is my article for the EC1 Echo October/November edition. Download here Update: since the Echo printed, consultants Primera have published a Culture Mile BID website, confirming the idea of a community forum. See end note. Culture Mile may become a BID Businesses in the north west of the City will contribute cash to projects read more
Update: consultants Primera have published BID proposals on a new website including the suggestion of a community forum. More here. Final plans for a Business Improvement District in the north west of the City – which I detailed here – will go to the Corporation’s Policy and Resources committee on October 20, and then to read more
Establishment of the City’s latest BID could bring benefits to residents – but only with appropriate governance and community engagement. Shortish version below, and more detailed briefing notes here. Businesses in the City’s cultural district and main residential area will next year be asked to help support and lead on projects including greening, easier walking read more