The City Corporation’s programme to develop and market the Square Mile as a leisure destination.
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”
Back in the summer residents were invited to a workshop to contribute ideas on how to draft the City Plan 2040 in support of the Corporation’s Destination City programme to attract more visitors. The results are now published as part of an overall Consultation Statement, and align with a new direction for the programme. Residents … Continue reading “City planners report on residents’ priorities for Destination City”
On Monday this week the City Corporation publicly signalled a reset in the direction of its flagship Destination City programme, with more emphasis on promoting existing cultural and heritage attractions, rather than big events with bought-in acts. Residents will be offered more say. The Culture, Heritage and Libraries committee had papers on an evaluation of … Continue reading “A reset for Destination City as Liveable City may be on the way”
Following the meeting yesterday of the City Corporation’s Policy and Resources committee it is pretty clear that its flagship Destination City programme to attract visitors is going to change. My report here and video recording here. No longer, it seems, will the Corporation back and organise big events like Golden Key (£1m for one day … Continue reading “Corporation dropping funding for Bartholomew Fair and rethinking Destination City”
The City Corporation has published an evaluation report on Bartholomew Fair – held over three weeks in September – detailing visitor numbers, their spending, preferences, and the partnerships formed to put on 250 events in 17 locations across the Square Mile. The Fair was part of the Destination City programme – which is now under … Continue reading “Bartholomew Fair evaluation published … no more Corporation funding?”
Plans to engage residents in Destination City highlight the need for accessible information about the Corporation’s flagship programme, and a main area for cultural development. I suggest we need a Guide to what’s happening and what’s planned, with councillors taking a lead in its development. You can skip to the Guide proposals here. Update summary … Continue reading “Why we need a Guide to Culture Mile and Destination City”
A City Corporation news release accompanying images of the Square Mile skyline in 2030 says more office development is needed to meet demand, and that in addition office towers will support its Destination City programme aimed at attracting visitors. We’re delighted to share our new image of what the city skyline will look like in … Continue reading “More office towers will help Destination City, says planning chief”
One of the challenges for the Destination City programme, aimed at attracting more visitors to the Square Mile, is helping people find their way around once they arrive. That was particularly true during the three weeks of Bartholomew Fair in September, with 250 events scattered across the City. While there was an official map with … Continue reading “Finding our way around the Square Mile”
Property development in the Square Mile can lead to tensions with residents. Barbican residents have campaigned forcefully against office development on the former site of the Museum of London, and residents on the Middlesex Street estate fought a 24 storey office tower because of overshadowing. However a recent report from the City Property Association makes … Continue reading “Can City residents and property developers find common ground in Destination City?”
Update: I’ve developed a set of pages on this wiki bringing together official reports, articles and blog posts about Destination City together with questions that I think might arise at the November 7 event. The City Question Time event has moved to December 14 6pm at the Old Bailey, with a festive celebration afterwards. Sign … Continue reading “Clash of dates highlights the engagement opportunity for Destination City”