Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID)
Judith and Philip have always kept a close eye on the state of the built environment in Langbourn Ward – and indeed over our Ward boundaries as we regularly travel across the City to enjoy our Ward.
They may not always have seen something wrong themselves while out and about in our Ward but when voters have told them about something, they were able to contact the relevant people in Environmental Health Services immediately. A recent example is a shop owner requesting assistance in Lime Street.
Judith has been involved with the Eastern City BID (Business Improvement District) since its inception. She serves on its Communications & Culture Steering Group and represents the City of London Corporation as an Observer on its Board. She was keen to see if the Eastern City BID could help to improve the look of our Ward. From February to October last year, there was an excellent trial of an enhanced street cleansing delivered by the Eastern City BID in partnership with the City of London Corporation. This made the area a cleaner and more inviting place to work and visit. The Eastern City BID funded an additional team of street cleaners from Monday-Friday (a 40 per cent uplift on the usual provision) with a night-time jet-washing regime thanks to this involvement.
The service focused on hot-spot areas like Gracechurch Street, Bishopsgate, Fenchurch Street Station forecourt, Eastcheap and St Mary Axe. Following a successful review in October, this enhanced street cleansing is becoming a permanent fixture. Kate Hart, CEO of the Eastern City BID said at the time:
“This trial fulfils our commitment to enhance key areas of the public realm, creating a more attractive, accessible and welcoming environment. The return of employees back to the workplace, increasing visitor footfall and a thriving night-time economy are all hugely welcome but they do create challenges which need to be managed. The Eastern City is one of the most iconic and important financial centres in the world so it’s important we provide our business community with a working environment to match.”
Judith and Philip are delighted that the City of London Corporation is investing an additional £1 million into its street cleaning. Judith is also delighted to be working with Eastern City BID to help make the Square Mile an even cleaner and more vibrant place in which to live, work and explore. Recent data shows that, since April last year, levels of litter in the Square Mile have halved, and are already more than 70% lower than the wider London benchmark.
This collaboration between the Eastern City BID and the City of London Corporation demonstrates the power of private/public partnership and is just one of many ways we are working together for the benefit of our community.
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