Advocate
HOLBA will unite & empower members to protect, defend & promote shared interests.
Achievements
Much was achieved and progress made over the last five years, including:
Secured legislation that gives Transport for London the power to regulate and licence pedicabs
During the pandemic, helped to secure the £1.57B Culture Recovery Fund (by presenting the investment case to government), a VAT reduction from 20% to 12.5% for hospitality and tourism businesses, business rates relief for eligible businesses and implementation of alfresco dining on key streets
Successfully lobbied the council for the licensing of street entertainment
Successfully campaigned to keep the one-day Travelcard, freeze tube fares and lower the cost of travel on Fridays to encourage people back to the office
SWOT summary
The summary SWOT analysis demonstrates that it is vital that work continues to advocate for, and represent, the Piccadilly & Jermyn Street District at the highest levels of local, regional and national government. To read the full SWOT analysis, visit the main menu HOLBA area SWOT section.
- HOLBA represents the Heart of London area on key strategic boards and groups to promote and better manage the area and that of wider London.
- No single body is currently making the case for better coordination of services, better management and control measures in Piccadilly & Jermyn Street District. This, compounded by duplication of services, means that there are important gaps that need to be resolved.
- Make the case to become a special policy area, with licensing and management of the area that is suitable for a 24/7 world-class destination.
- The new Labour government has made a commitment to review the current system of business rates which adversely affects businesses in the Heart of London area.
- Loss of visitors to destinations with policy and regulatory frameworks that support a vibrant consumer experience.
Delivery plan
Over the next five years HOLBA will focus on:
- Campaign on shared issues
- A united voice for business
- Special Policy Area
Campaign on shared issues
Lobby government for fiscal incentives and less regulation to support business investment, balanced employment laws, business rate reform; tax-free shopping; greater policing and enforcement; investment in culture; accessible, reliable and affordable transport; regulation of micro-mobility market and more transparency of net zero targets, planning and licensing.
Over the next five years HOLBA will:
Business rate reform
- Advocate for equitable reform and a simplified business rate system that supports economic growth.
Reinstating tax-free shopping
- Campaign to reinstate tax-free shopping, recognising that the economy is losing out on billions of pounds and reduced footfall and spend from international visitors.
Strategic crime reduction
- Call for a dedicated CCTV system and harnessing new technologies for London’s West End and dedicated, ringfenced policing and enforcement patrols.
Investment in culture
- Advocate for the cultural sector to receive ongoing financial support from Government due to the vital role it plays in the West End ecosystem.
Protect transport passengers
- With primary legislation secured to regulate pedicabs, collaborate with TfL to implement a licensing and enforcement regime to keep transport passengers, pedestrians and other road users safe from unlicensed and antisocial transport operators.
- Campaign for investment to upgrade Piccadilly Circus station and Leicester Square station, including step-free access.
Micro-mobility regulation
- Collaborate with London councils to advocate for new regulation to better manage and control dockless e-bikes and e-scooters.
Net zero targets
- Support member businesses to reduce their carbon emissions working in partnership with local, regional and national Government and advocating on key issues such as minimum energy standards and compliance and clarity on rebuild or retrofit decisions.
Planning & licensing
- Represent the Heart of London area in consultations on local, regional and national planning and licensing reform and new policy and support members with their applications.
A united voice for business
Establish a united voice for the business community to influence decisions, tackle issues and effect positive change.
Over the next five years HOLBA will:
- Offer businesses the chance to have a say on local, regional and national policies.
- Advocate for government policies and incentives to support business investment and growth.
- Deliver a programme of engagement with the political leaders and decision makers in the Cities of London and Westminster.
- Champion members’ interests by participating in key groups including:
- BusinessLDN’s quarterly West End Streets Group
- BusinessLDN’s London Business Improvement District Group
- London Business Forum
- London Chamber of Commerce Business Crime Forum
- London’s Deputy Mayor for Business’s Strategic Coordinating Group
- London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries’ London Creates Campaign
- London & Partners Sustainable Tourism Group
- New London Architecture’s New Sounding Board
- Night-time Commission Group for the Greater London Authority
- Police Ward panels and meetings
- Safer Business Network Steering Group
- The Business Advisory Group run by Transport for London (TfL)
- The Tourism Advisory Group for London
- Westminster City Council’s Business Improvement District Group
Special Area Designation
Over the next five years, HOLBA will lead a major shift in government’s recognition and treatment of the West End, securing its status as a Special Area for Commerce, Culture and Experience (SPACCE).
SPACCE would seek to:
- Gain formal recognition of the area’s significant value to the UK as a centre for tourism, culture, heritage, education, commerce and investment.
- Protect the positive ecosystem and infrastructure of the area.
- Create planning and licensing conditions conducive to innovation and investment in the cultural and experience sectors.
- Acknowledge the area’s challenges and secure additional resources to address them over the 24-hour period.