92% of businesses voted in favour of Heart of London Business Alliance to lead a further five year business improvement programme for Piccadilly, Leicester Square and St James’s.
Throughout February and March Westminster City Council ran a formal ballot for businesses to submit their votes for the relaunch of the Business Alliance, with an overwhelming majority choosing to vote in favour of the re-election. From the Piccadilly and St James’s area 92.44% of businesses re-elected Heart of London, whilst 91.43% of those in the Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus area voted the same.
An iconic visitor destination, the Heart of London is home to world-leading retail and leisure operators. The organisation’s fourth consecutive term will see investment to cement the area as a world-class destination for visitors and businesses across the area, helping to future-proof the West End’s thriving economy.
The Business Alliance proposals for Heart of London businesses include: continuing to promote the world-class destination, ensure exceptional public spaces, provide decisive leadership and influence, provide robust resilience and infrastructure and deliver powerful insight and networks.
To deliver these promises, the Business Alliance will continue work with the council, the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London, as well as neighbouring BIDs to drive a better future for businesses and locals in the area where visitor numbers will exponentially grow in the near future due to the forecast£42 billion in economic benefits that Crossrail is set to bring to London and the UK.
Andy Godfrey, Chairman of Heart of London Business Alliance says: “The businesses across Piccadilly, St James’s and Leicester Square share an iconic location helping fuel the UK’s £127 billion tourist economy. These businesses’ priorities remain Heart of London Business Alliance’s priority and we are proud to lead another five years of cementing the area as the world-class destination.”
Ros Morgan, Chief Executive of Heart of London Business Alliance says, “We have been voted in to lead businesses in this area at a pivotal time for London and the wider UK. Heart of London Business Alliance is an example of a community realising its shared interests, particularly across the tourism and leisure sectors, to achieve one common goal: a world-class destination for business and visitors.
“We are proud to lead the globally recognised Piccadilly, St James’s and Leicester Square areas forward and work together with our members and partners to future-proof the West End’s thriving economy.”
Councillor Robert Davis MBE DL, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage says, “I am delighted that after a successful campaign led by Ros Morgan the future of The Heart of London Business Alliance is secure until 2022.
“Heart of London share the City Council’s vision for a vibrant and successful city and I look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with them to maintain Westminster’s reputation as a world-class destination.
“From Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus and St James’s, Heart of London has supported and led on a raft of significant improvements to the public realm making it a safer and more pleasant place for resident, workers and tourists to visit.”
Patricia Yates VisitBritain/ VisitEngland Director says, “Heart of London helps showcase the best of the West End, be it luxury shopping, art and culture or culinary excellence to visitors, creating economic benefits that spread beyond our capital, securing its position as a world-class destination. We look forward to working with Heart of London Business Alliance over the next five years to build on their work and ours to continue to promote London and the wider UK as a world-class visitor destination.”
Ray Newton, Adviser to the Chairman, Edwardian Hotels says, “As both a Board member of HOLBA and on behalf of Edwardian Hotels London I am delighted at this further very positive result and the support shown by the business operators. As a business Edwardian is investing almost £300m in a new Hotel development in Leicester Square and we see the work of HOLBA in partnership with Westminster City Council as an important ingredient for the future success of the district as a destination and therefore protecting and enhancing our investment.”
James Cooksey, Director of Central London at The Crown Estate says, “London’s West End is known the world-over as an exceptional place to live, work and play. But we cannot take our success for granted. Heart of London has already played a vital role in attracting investment to London’s West End, and today’s announcement strengthens its role in ensuring that London continues to be a world-class city.”
Susannah Wilks, Director, Cross River Partnership says, “Cross River Partnership has had a fantastic working relationship with Heart of London Business Alliance delivering our Recruit London service to businesses together. We look forward to delivering even more results in partnership with Heart of London Business Alliance in the future, including on Recycling, Deliveries and Waste.”
Mike Brown MVO, London’s Transport Commissioner, says, “Congratulations to Heart of London Business Alliance on a successful re-ballot. Heart of London has been key in helping us deliver infrastructure improvements in the West End, including the launch of the Night Tube and making the area a better place to live, visit and work. Looking ahead, Ros and the team will be vital in supporting the Mayor’s vision for London and the West End. This includes the opening of the Elizabeth Line in 2019, tackling air quality and our plans to transform Oxford Street.”
Simon Thomas, CEO of the Hippodrome Casino says, “I am delighted that the Heart Of London has received a ringing endorsement for its continued work in championing the West End.”
Ciaran Fahy, Chief Executive Officer, Ellerman Hotels (The Ritz London) says, “Heart of London’s tourism strategy has helped build our area’s global reputation, attracting domestic and international visitors alike. We look forward to working alongside Heart of London for another five years to continue to drive visitors to London and grow our potential as a top tourist destination.”
Charles Saumarez Smith, Secretary and Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Arts, says, “We welcome the Heart of London’s important contribution to the public realm of Mayfair and St. James’s, one of the most dynamic art districts in the world. In the lead up to the completion of the RA’s transformative redevelopment in 2018, the opening of the Elizabeth Line at Hanover Square and the plans to develop the streets of Bond Street and East Mayfair, I am delighted that HOLBA has been elected to lead the Improvement Programme during this exciting time of renewal.”
Cathy Arnold, Director, Estates & Operations, National Portrait Gallery says, “There are many benefits of working with neighbouring businesses through the Heart of London Business Alliance and the Gallery is particularly pleased to see the proposals included that support improvements to the public realm and enhance the visitor experience for all.”
Heart of London Business Alliance has been successful in securing the ballot to represent St James’s, Piccadilly and Leicester Square businesses for the next five years, their fourth consecutive term since forming in 2001.
Achievements through partnerships since 2012:
- £40 million investment in public realm
- 50 football pitches worth of streets deep-cleaned every 6 weeks
- 8,000 issues tackled annually by Heart of London Ambassadors
- 36% less crime since the introduction of the West End Impact Zone
- £3 billion extra spend generated by London Luxury Quarter annually
- World-class events such as Lumiere London
Councillor Robert Davis MBE DL, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage congratulates Ros Morgan, Heart of London Business Alliance Chief Executive on their successful ballot.
Future plans for Heart of London Business Alliance include:
World-Class Destination:
To remain the number one global destination by continuing to promote the West End to worldwide audiences, backed by a clear strategy to showcase what the West End has to offer and ensure they remain a global business address and world-class destination.
Exceptional Public Spaces:
To ensure that the quality of the urban environment is exceptional. They will build upon their successes to date to ensure that public spaces and streets continue to be rejuvenated, clean, attractive, actively managed and worthy of their iconic status.
Decisive Leadership and Influence:
As the representative of over 500 businesses and property owners in the West End, Heart of London has a strong voice. They will continue to work with and for their members and partners to mitigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Robust Resilience and Infrastructure:
It is vital that businesses have the infrastructure to provide the highest levels of productivity and service. They will ensure that they are able to respond to external factors and this area of London is always open for business.
Powerful Insight and Networks:
To provide best in class services and react to changing economic and political dynamics, knowledge is key. They will provide reliable and relevant information, deliver thought provoking leadership and powerful business networks, supporting their members’ decision making and helping them to grow and flourish.
