Advocate
St James’s BID will unite & empower members to protect, defend & promote shared interests.
SWOT summary
The summary SWOT analysis demonstrates that it is vital that work continues to advocate for, and represent, the St James’s 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 has built a strong knowledge of every aspect of the St James's District, its businesses and its organisations and has good relationships with statutory bodies and local authorities. These are invaluable in resolving issues for members.
- A willing resident and business community, keen to collaborate to improve and protect St James's.
- No single body is currently making the case for better coordination of services, better management and control measures in St James’s. This, compounded by duplication of services, means that there are important gaps that need to be resolved.
- Secure public sector investment in the area’s footways and public spaces.
- The current business rates system adversely affects businesses in the Heart of London area, and the new Labour government has made a commitment to review the current system.
- 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, which is invaluable experience that can be used to support St James's District and businesses.
- Attracting 16.8M visitors a year and the St James’s District’s comparative wealth makes it a target area for criminals who indulge in shoplifting, robbery and theft.
- Loss of investment, professional service businesses and visitors to destinations with policy and regulatory frameworks that support a vibrant consumer experience.
Delivery plan
Over the next five years the St James’s BID will focus on:
- Campaigning 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 the St James’s BID 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