About Business Improvement Districts
Update: the Old Bailey venue for City Questions yesterday was very grand … but from my point of view not much use, because the acoustics were so terrible. I couldn’t hear Brendan Barns initial speech about Destination City, or subsequent discussion, and so didn’t want to pitch in. I’m submitting my question by email. As … Continue reading “Another question about Destination City – and BIDs”
At yesterday’s Farringdon Within Ward public meeting City Corporation Member Eamonn Mullally helpfully handed out the latest report from Fleet Street Quarter, the local Business Improvement District. It has a clear and inspiring vision for the future, if you take a property perspective, which is its focus. The report “reveals how a ground-breaking development pipeline … Continue reading “Will a vision for future Fleet Street help counter WFH?”
Proposals for the City’s first neighbourhood forum are a good idea – but residents outside Barbican and Golden Lane Estates need to have influence too.
Residents on the two major estates in the north west of the City have made the bold move of proposing a forum with powers to develop its own plan for the neighbourhood.
In January I attended a City-wide Residents meeting with the City Corporation, and asked the chair of policy Chris Hayward how we could best engage with developments planned in the north west cultural district of the Square Mile. Here’s the exchange. The Destination City programme is taking over much of the work of the Culture … Continue reading “Resident engagement with Destination City and the new BID – official advice”
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 … Continue reading “Business Improvement District approved for City’s main residential district: here’s some issues”
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 … Continue reading “City Corporation stands down its Culture Mile team and offers public realm designs to business”
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 … Continue reading “Can Destination City also help create a Liveable City?”
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 … Continue reading “Culture Mile changes as Destination City sets out plans”
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 … Continue reading “Community forum in the City’s Culture Mile set for approval”