Inmidtown, the London business improvement district covering Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles, has won the backing of local firms for a new five-year plan.
Some 256 of the 300 firms in the area – 88% – backed the plan, which will see £15m of private funds invested in a series of public realm and inward investment initiatives.
The plan includes:
- Holborn Tube improvements: working with Transport for London to drive forward plans for the upgrade and modernisation of Holborn Underground station, to accommodate the 50% increase in travellers expected by 2031.
- Street access and safety: working with Camden council to support the implementation plans for new signage and the removal of the gyratory systems for safer travel.
- Drive inward investment: aiming to cement Midtown as a major area for commercial growth and continue to lobby and positively influence planning policy.
- Create safer streets: reducing crime will be of key importance, with two dedicated police officers and a Hotel Watch scheme in place, which will offer a platform to share intelligence.
- Creating the most sustainable business district: expand and grow its successful portfolio of innovative solutions catering to the business community such as zero-to-landfill waste package, closed-loop stationary programme and joint procurement services.
- The district for business: launching business events, seminars and discussions to unite the Midtown business community with the aim of strengthening the area’s identity and further driving visitor numbers.
- Supporting the local community: implementing local apprenticeships and work experience programmes. Creating innovative and exciting new programmes to add to its portfolio of “lunchtime farming initiatives”, which include rooftop gardens, urban beekeeping and the Chicken Coop at Corum Fields.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The continued success of the capital’s economy relies on ensuring our great city remains attractive and competitive in order to support businesses and attract new investment. London’s business improvement districts make a very significant contribution to achieving that goal, and the five-year plan set out by Inmidtown promises to deliver some remarkable improvements across an important part of our city.”
