A festive message from our Chair Andrew Reynolds

As we prepare to head off for our annual festive break this is a good moment to pause and look back over the past year – and the first nine months of the EC BID’s first term. Although 2022 has turned out to be yet another year of challenge and change, once again the Square Mile has proven to be resilient. With various headwinds facing the capital, 2023 is also set to begin with a fair share of uncertainty, but I am confident that our area will continue to innovate, pioneer, and grow.

Against this backdrop however, I believe more than ever in the power of collective action and am proud of what the EC BID has achieved in just a few short months. From rolling out our on-street concierge programme, and delivering our first prototype seating and greening project, to commissioning agenda-setting research to inform our work and hosting several events, from networking events to gingerbread workshops, we have seen delivery across our core themes. Ending the year with the area’s first ever Christmas activities was particularly rewarding.

Even more exciting is that we are set for more delivery next year. Public realm, the vital sustainability agenda, Destination City, supporting businesses through the cost-of-living crisis and navigating hybrid working, boosting the City’s global competitive edge, and helping to define the future vision for Leadenhall Market – these are just some of the priorities for the BID in the coming months.

This year it’s been great to see workers flocking back to offices, tourists returning to the capital, and businesses investing. However, we know there is work to do. Just this week, Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations league table, placed London sixth in the ranking behind Paris, Dubai, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Rome. The list is compiled from a comparison of metrics across six ‘key pillars’ – economic and business performance; tourism performance; tourism infrastructure; tourism policy and attractiveness; health and safety; and sustainability.

We have a strong blueprint, the mandate and resources to help drive London’s ongoing renaissance, working with the City of London Corporation, Transport for London, London & Partners and others to deliver the unexpected, enhance the experience of being in our wonderful part of the City and support growth, investment and innovation.

So, 2023 looks set to be busy for us all, building on the strong foundations and delivery in our first year.

I wish you all good health and happiness and look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.