Category Archives: BID

Business Improvement District approved for City’s main residential district: here’s some issues

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 »

City Corporation stands down its Culture Mile team and offers public realm designs to business

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 »

Can Destination City also help create a Liveable City?

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 »

Culture Mile changes as Destination City sets out plans

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 »

Community forum in the City’s Culture Mile set for approval

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 »

New visitor guide and films for Culture Mile demonstrate BID promotion plans

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 »

Echo article on the Culture Mile BID – and a BID website

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 »

The City could get its first neighbourhood forum under Culture Mile BID plans

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 »

Latest business improvement plans could make City neighbourhoods better for all. If …

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 »