Foreword
St James’s BID will mobilise the business community to tackle current challenges, drive future prosperity & realise its full potential as a place for culture, heritage & commerce.
There is nowhere else in the world quite like St James’s, with its exceptional history, distinguished character, exquisite architecture and specialist businesses. However, St James’s has been devoid of investment for decades and missing a single organisation equipped and dedicated to managing the district.
Today, St James’s relies entirely on basic street services, delivered by statutory bodies, which have deteriorated in line with previous government cuts. The consequence is evident in rising crime, declining footfall, dwindling sales, a tired public realm, an alarming stock of energy-inefficient buildings and businesses relocating out of the district. This is in stark contrast to neighbouring areas that use Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA) to deliver their business improvement districts.
Over the past 24 months we have established the St James’s Business Steering Committee and, with HOLBA’s support, have developed an improvement plan that has been tailored to the specific needs of St James's. A SWOT analysis provides a solid foundation on which the proposed plan has been developed. It is a fully financed and bespoke five-year plan that will commence on 1 April 2025.
From day one, HOLBA will deliver services that will make St James’s safer, cleaner and more attractive to investors, businesses, workers and visitors today, while also convening the St James’s community and decision makers to plan for the district’s future.
HOLBA offers St James’s the reassurance of a 20-year track record in managing some of the most demanding and unique parts of London. It is an expert in the industry and is highly respected by its members.
We are unanimous in our view that St James's needs HOLBA. At ballot in February 2025, each of our organisations will vote in favour of St James’s becoming a Business Improvement District. There is a lot to be gained or lost depending on the outcome. We, therefore, invite you to get in touch to discuss it further.
Yours faithfully,
- Geordie Willis - Berry Brothers & Rudd
- Liz Hutchinson - The British Academy
- Dermot Herlihy - Dukes London
- Adrian Bunnis - Greycoat Real Estate
- Jeff Singleton - KSL Capital
- Charles Howard - Lazari Investments
- Chris Gilbert - The London Library
- Phil Muller - Oak Hill Advisers
- Dominic Higgitt - Resolution Property
- Richard Townsend - Institute of Directors
Chairman - St James’s BID Steering Group - Rick Bains - Saranac Partners
- Rebecca Rowe - Smith Square Partners
- Tim Allibone - The Crown Estate
- Sal Gowili - The Ritz
- Kia Baxter - Warburg Pincus
