Businesses in two hugely important areas in the City of London are being asked to take part in a new ‘Perception Analysis’ survey, to determine how each area should grow and change over the next few years.
The two surveys cover the EC Partnership (The Eastern City) and the Fleet Street Quarter, each of which is planning to become a Business Improvement District (BID). Local businesses pay a special levy to their own respective BID, which lobbies for their interests and funds projects within the district’s boundaries. They’re set to be big players in the Square Mile.
That’s why it is so important for businesses to fill out the ‘Perception Analysis’. The BIDs make policy and create plans for the future of the City based off this information. They directly shape their own district.
Both the Fleet Street Quarter and EC Partnership will ballot local businesses in early 2022 and if the ballots are successful this will mean the City of London will have four BIDs. The BIDs in Cheapside and Aldgate are already demonstrating the power of collective action, with wide ranging and ambitious enhancement programmes and strong mandates from the local business communities.
The BIDs in Fleet Street Quarter and EC Partnership would have multi-million pound annual budgets in invest in the specific projects tailored to each area.
And, while they are focusing on the views of potential levy payers, anyone can participate. So, if you want to have a say in the future of the Eastern City or Fleet Street Quarter, then you’ve got to take part before the deadline on 30 June 2021.
The Eastern City
The EC Partnership, covering The Eastern City, has brought together voices from the iconic tower cluster community and has a clear and exciting vision for where they want to take this renowned district. Their priorities are aligned with the City Corporation’s ‘City Cluster Vision’ and they’ve have been empowered to deliver the programmes and interventions that will be so vital to the recovery.
The Eastern City, despite the recent Covid-19 outbreak, is set to see significant growth with an ongoing development pipeline alongside the introduction of the Elizabeth Line – which originally projected a growth of 100,000 workers across the City of London by 2026.
While there is substantial opportunity in this growth, there are also significant challenges with issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution and a squeezed public realm coming to the forefront. The EC Partnership plans to tackle these issues with a strong ambition to support the growth of the area and develop a collective voice for the business community, making meaningful interventions within the City.
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Andrew Reynolds, Chair of the EC Partnership “This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses from across the area to give their ideas and views on the future of our iconic area.
“We want London to become a cleaner, greener more welcoming city, anchored in social purpose and renowned for its inclusivity, diversity and innovation. Our ambition is to secure a strong mandate which will allow us to invest several millions of pounds into the local area.
“We want to achieve all of this as a democratic and collaborative partnership, giving a voice to SMEs as much as the big corporate brands – and of course, the key to us making a success of this green recovery is for us to work together. That’s why we want as many businesses as possible to get involved in this stage of the BID process.”
Fleet Street Quarter
Encompassing an area which features Fleet Street at its heart, but embracing important areas such as Chancery Lane, Holborn, Ludgate Hill and New Street Square, the Fleet Street Quarter aspires to shape the whole area into a thriving place to live, work, and visit.
Through careful stewardship and curation, their programme of work aims to foster inclusion, diversity, innovation, celebrate culture and help deliver a green and sustainable business district. The BID will have an emphasis on providing “additional” services and adding value, complementing the work of the City Corporation but not duplicating.
Once established the Fleet Street Quarter BID will be an important custodian and delivery partner for the area, implementing tangible enhancements and transformational projects.
While these are difficult times, they are also exciting times for the area with the creation of the new City of London Law Courts and Police HQ complex together with the refurbishment and redevelopment of former national newspaper buildings. There is huge potential across the whole area and the BID company aims to ensure that this potential is maximised. It will set a clear vision, promote growth opportunities on the horizon and helping with the COVID recovery.
Alistair Subba-Row, Chair for the Fleet Street Quarter said “I urge anyone working within the Fleet Street Quarter area to get involved and have a say in this vital survey.
“As a local occupier for over 30 years, I was delighted to take on the role of Chairman for the Fleet Street Quarter last year – we are an exciting Partnership seeking to create a vibrant, sustainable future for this wonderful part of London. We can all play our part in shaping the future direction of the area we care so much about.
“Your views and input are crucial to help us shape the vision and make the Fleet Street Quarter an exemplar destination in the City of London and the whole of the capital.”
