78% of businesses have today voted London’s Marble Arch Business Improvement District to lead on a new programme for the area that will see £2.5m invested over five years.
In line with the council, the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London, Marble Arch BID will work to harness investment into a five year plan starting 1 April. The aims are to improve trading connections and make the area more successful for retailers, hotels and restaurants.
Throughout February, Westminster City Council ran a formal ballot for businesses to submit their votes for the launch of the new BID, with 60% of businesses across the area choosing to vote. The strong majority was in favour.
“The footprint of the BID includes 42 streets across the East and West of Edgware Road,” commented Kay Buxton, Executive Director, Marble Arch BID. “Whilst the streets combine to create a wonderful area to live, work and visit, the arterial status of Edgware Road has left it struggling to keep up with the pace of change and quality of public realm improvements seen elsewhere in the West End. The BID will make significant improvements to future-proof the whole area.”
Kate Bailey, M&S Edgware Road’s Store Manager added: “We‘re delighted that the Marble Arch BID has been voted for by the local community. The plans will help local businesses provide a better environment for customers and we‘re looking forward to supporting them as they progress”.
As the doorstep to the West End‘s world-leading retail and over 350 acres of Royal Park, the BID area is the London home for hundreds of businesses and thousands of tourists staying in the area‘s 3000 hotel rooms.
The area currently operates high street giant Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Argos and a strong independent sector.
Just some of the plans include introducing a team of street ambassadors for enhanced stewardship, developing a programme of events to animate public spaces, including the installation of festive lights on Edgeware Road for Christmas 2016 and beyond, implementing a local loyalty scheme for offers in restaurants, shops, health and beauty and producing an eating out guide.
