Members of three neighbouring Business Improvement District organisations (BIDs) have voted to renew their partnership and its aim of nurturing post-pandemic economic recovery in the south of Westminster.
Businesses which are members of the Victoria Westminster, Whitehall and The Northbank BIDS chose to keep working together along with the Victoria BID under the collective name of London Heritage Quarter (London HQ).
The ballot, which was conducted for the BIDS by Westminster City Council as a legal duty, produced large majorities in favour of maintaining the relationship, with around 280 votes cast in all.
The decision means a ten-year collaboration will continue and seek to implement a programme for 2023-2028 which, London HQ says, will see £30.3 million invested in projects aimed at encouraging workers to return to offices, reviving international tourism and tackling staff recruitment problems in the hospitality sector, as well as “creating a more environmentally sustainable business district” in line with Westminster City Council’s aim of achieving net zero by 2040.
London HQ’s activity, like that of BIDS operating in other parts of the capital, will include input into new public realm schemes and efforts to make streets cleaner and safer. The Northbank BID was instrumental in bringing about Westminster’s recent pedestrianisation of the Aldwych end of the Strand (pictured).
Chief executive Ruth Duston, who also heads the regeneration consultancy Primera, described BIDs in the capital as “a powerful and strategic force for good” and said the ballot result means the private sector will have “a real say in the future evolution of this fantastic location”.
London HQ says its four BIDS represent thousands of businesses in their areas, ranging from “major employers and FTSE 100 companies to smaller creative businesses and start-ups, across a diverse range of sectors”.
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