A MANIFESTO FOR LONDON

A MANIFESTO FOR LONDON

HEART OF LONDON A MANIFESTO FOR LONDON

A MANIFESTO FOR LONDONThe mayoral elections are an opportunity for the Heart of London Business Alliance to influence London’s direction. We want to ensure that our voice is heard, defining the needs of the West End.

Our policy suggestions are grouped under three themes, which capture our members’ ambitions for the capital. Some of these policies have already been adopted by candidates; others are being actively debated; while a handful plant seeds for the future.

The Heart of London Business Alliance has an important relationship with the GLA, which we look forward to strengthening, whoever has the honour to become the third Mayor of London. Clear communication is a prerequisite for this relationship’s success.

In this manifesto, we start as we mean to go on.

Sarah Porter Chief Executive

A MANIFESTO FOR LONDONHEART OF LONDON

A GLOBAL DESTINATIONThe West End is a pre-eminent global destination for business, investment, visitors and tourism. Its vibrant culture and heritage, creative businesses and world-class retail are going from strength to strength. None of this should be taken for granted. The Mayor of London has vital role as London’s champion, promoting our world city status. Destination marketing through London & Partners, and through partnerships like the GREAT Britain campaign with Visit Britain, is highly valued by businesses in the Heart of London. The next Mayor must continue to invest in these activities.

MORE SHOWSTOPPER EVENTSEvents like Circus Circus and Lumiere London are fantastic opportunities for global attention. Once event concepts are developed, they attract significant sponsorship, but funding the initial planning of ‘showstoppers’ is a challenge. The next Mayor should create a dedicated Large Event Unit at the GLA to act as a catalyst and seed funder, with a target for a set number of events each year.

SUPPORT DESTINATION MARKETINGSchemes like the London Luxury Quarter allow the West End to reach a global market. Financial support through London & Partners is vital. But practical support is just as important, such as the presence of the Mayor of London at events and GLA officer time to unlock barriers. We call on the Mayoral candidates to make a personal commitment to support destination marketing.

BACK SINGLE CHINESE VISASFollowing the advocacy of the UK-China Visa Alliance, the Government has made significant progress by lengthening standard Chinese visitor visas and introducing a pilot visa sharing centre. The next Mayor should continue to work with UKCVA, promoting initiatives to reduce the need to apply twice for two visas. This is essential to continue the growth in Chinese visitors.

GIVE LONDON & PARTNERS A GLOBAL FOCUSLondon & Partners has a crucial role on high-value projects. At a time when resources are increasingly scarce, major events and initiatives should take priority. Small-scale projects and initiatives, like listings and directories, have a small audience, risk duplication and do not add value in the same way.

There should be a review of London & Partners’ operations to ensure a focus on major promotions and the global economy. It should work closely with partners, including the government and the inner London BIDs, to ensure that its resources are fully utilised.

DEVOLVE SUNDAY TRADINGThe Sunday trading laws put the West End at a substantial disadvantage, whether in our appeal to tourists, or when competing for customers with Internet retailers. We continue to support the case for devolving Sunday trading rules to the next Mayor, who should commit to giving central London the freedom it needs.

A 24-HOUR ECONOMYThe night time economy is a lively part of the London’s food, arts, theatre and music culture. It creates jobs and growth. From our theatres and clubs to our hotels and casinos, this activity is part of what makes London great. All too often, a 24/7 capital is just seen as a problem to be managed, taxed, policed or regulated. The next Mayor should celebrate and increase the positive benefits that we can offer residents, businesses and visitors alike.

INTRODUCE CULTURE 24London offers some of the world’s best culture through its theatres, galleries and museums. Unlike other global cities, however, our cultural offering is far from a 24/7 experience. The next Mayor should take the initiative and encourage special late and all-night openings, with one-off spectaculars that lead to regular events.

PROMOTE ALFRESCO LONDONOther global cities offer far more offer alfresco eating, often past 11pm at night. We need changes to the London Plan and support for licensing authorities to make it easier for restaurants to provide an alfresco service, particularly into the evening. There should be a GLA best-practice scheme and guidance.

DELIVER THE NIGHT TUBEThe introduction of the Night Tube is a priority for West End, where the difficulty of getting home late at night is a significant inconvenience for Londoners. Already delayed, all of the planned routes must be implemented urgently by the next Mayor, with a view to expanding night routes and services.

SAFEGUARD THE IMPACT ZONEThe Impact Zone is now a vital part of keeping the West End safe around the clock. Given the protection for police funding announced by the government, all mayoral candidates should guarantee that they will retain the Impact Zone and keep the number of police officers assigned to it at the current level.

HEART OF LONDON A MANIFESTO FOR LONDON

A WORKING CITYInvestment in London’s transport infrastructure is transforming the capital. Yet our experience of public transport, roads and public spaces is often disfigured by strikes, congestion, pollution and the anti-social behaviour of a minority. The next Mayor must ensure that our transport infrastructure is resilient, allowing London to remain an enjoyable place to live, work and visit.

VARY ROUTES USED BY PROTESTORSWe support the right to protest. Its responsible use contributes to our political and social life, and should be protected. It does not follow from this right that protests about national issues should be allowed to continually block the same streets in central London.

The Mayor should work with the Metropolitan Police to vary the permitted protest routes and venues, which currently have a disproportionate impact on certain streets and businesses.

REGULATE PEDICABSThere is growing problem with ‘pedicabs’ in the West End, the unregulated rickshaws that frequently block roads and overcharge tourists. New legislation is required to give TfL the power to act. The Mayor of London should make a clear case to the government for change, committing TfL to use any new regulatory powers to clamp down on dangerous operators.

SEIZE THE OXFORD STREET OPPORTUNITYThe pedestrianisation of Oxford Street will affect the whole of the West End. It can either be used as the catalyst for other changes that are long overdue, or it can happen in isolation, displacing and compounding existing problems.

The next Mayor must seize the generational opportunity that it presents. For example, rather than diverting current bus routes, the network of routes in central London should be fundamentally redrawn. Public realm, traffic flows, air quality and freight should all be part of a comprehensive strategy for the West End, implemented alongside pedestrianisation and the opening of the Elizabeth Line.

TACKLE STRIKESUnnecessary strikes damage businesses and London’s economy. The next Mayor should set out how disruption and the number of strike days on London’s transport network will be reduced.

PROMOTE FREIGHT CONSOLIDATIONFreight consolidation is a proven way to get traffic off our streets and improve air quality. The next Mayor should promote the expansion of existing retail and construction schemes, while seeking to remove barriers to out-of-hours deliveries. Distribution sites in central London are essential and should be safeguarded. The Mayor should also explore using rail and tube routes from external hubs at night, with zero-emission vehicles providing ‘last mile’ deliveries.

MAKE STREET PERFORMANCE WORKThe introduction of Busk in London has helped performers and businesses alike by identifying the best locations for busking and raising the standard. But problems around crowds, amplified music and anti-social behaviour continue to blight street performance. As Busk in London progresses, proactive enforcement activity should be used alongside the positive incentives of the scheme to maintain its integrity and credibility.

HEART OF LONDON

For more information, please contact: Sarah PorterChief Executive

Heart of London Business AllianceSackville House40 PiccadillyLondon W1J ODR

sarah.porter@heartoflondonbid.co.uk020 7734 4507