Business Plan 2016-21
- 2. Team London Bridge has been run by the local business community, for the business community, for nearly 10 years. This Business Plan lays out the facts, the achievements so far and the work that still needs to be done. Team London Bridge: make it your business contents WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? YOU VOTE... 2 Vision 2016–2021 3 Chair’s Statement 4 Your Future 5 Your Aspirations 6 What London Bridge Businesses Want 8 Team London Bridge Services 9 Services for your Business 9 Safety and Security 10 Place Promotion 11 Responsible Business 12 Events 13 News and Awareness 14 Project Map 16 Services for your Area 16 Greening 17 Cleaning 18 Transport 19 Cultural Development 20 Achievements since 2005 22 The London Bridge Team 24 Why London Bridge has a BID 25 Your Contribution to the BID 26 Five-year Financial Forecast 28 Voting in the Ballot From 24 September to 29 October 2015 businesses will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to endorse this Business Plan and continue Team London Bridge for another five years. See page 28 YES
- 3. 2 Over 80% of local businesses say Team London Bridge makes a positive difference to their area, which is a good start, but the business community has pushed the BID to achieve much more than simply ensuring cleaner, brighter and safer streets. With so much change in progress, this is a critical period in the evolution of London Bridge and our members want to ensure that no opportunities are missed as the jigsaw of redevelopment is planned and put in place. There are now close to 50,000 people working in London Bridge, many spending more waking hours here than at home, so not only are they entitled to have their say in how the area changes, we positively encourage them to do so. Through Team London Bridge projects and extensive consultation, our BID members have provided a clear picture of what needs to be done to make London Bridge the kind of place that enhances their operation. We know that businesses need efficient, customer-focused transport; want a strong, developed cultural identity; prefer a balanced business mix with more retail; would like to see more greenery and more inventive use of the public realm; want a safe environment; and see one of Team London Bridge’s main roles as developing the partnerships necessary to allow the area to grasp the opportunities presented in this period of radical change. We have responded by developing a ‘London Bridge Plan’ (see p. 4). This initiative provides a framework of collective aspirations for London Bridge that can both be adopted by the local authority in their planning strategy, and guide developers and landowners in their own planning and decision-making. We believe it gives London Bridge businesses a unique stake in the future of their trading environment. James Dinwiddie Director Dinwiddie MacLaren Architects Chair Team London Bridge VISION 2016–2021 chair’s statement All this fast-paced change comes at a cost. The work at London Bridge Station in particular has meant frequent disruption and Team London Bridge will continue to work with Network Rail to help mitigate inconvenience and communicate on travel issues. Should businesses support this Business Plan, there will be significant additions to the London Bridge BID in 2016. The Team London Bridge Board and Executive Team very much value the support and involvement we receive from BID member businesses on a daily basis. Beyond anything else, that is why we are seeking members’ support for the BID to continue for a third five-year term and are confident that the services outlined in the Business Plan will make a significant contribution to the further success of London Bridge. As London Bridge has changed, the context and role of the BID has evolved with it. Originally Team London Bridge supported businesses with a range of basic services. We still do that very well, but now expectations are rightfully higher and BID members demand that they be represented by an organisation that is both influential at every level and an authority on the issues that matter most to them. This progressive drive and strength in expertise is a mainstay of Team London Bridge today. BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 To ensure London Bridge excels as a leading place for global commerce and continues to develop as a pioneering local centre for enterprise, culture, and entertainment. We will: Capitalise on opportunities for increasing the retail offer — Ensure London Bridge remains a safe and secure place — Maximise the potential of new developments and public spaces, including greening — Integrate the new station with surrounding areas and transport connections, in particular walking and cycling — Create opportunities for the business community via events and partnerships — Develop the vision of London Bridge and promote its heritage — Encourage sustainable, responsible business practices — Continue the successful BID services of the past 10 years These were the priorities of the London Bridge business community during consultation. 32
- 4. 4 Your Future your aspirations London Bridge businesses highly value the core services provided by Team London Bridge. They make a tangible difference to the lives of local employees and the trading environment, but the ambitions of the business community don’t stop there. The London Bridge Plan Team London Bridge has been working alongside Southwark Council to write the ‘London Bridge Plan’. This will sit within the Borough’s wider planning policy and will give local businesses a strong voice in deciding how their area progresses. Team London Bridge has undertaken extensive consultation with BID members, major landlords, Southwark Council, TfL and Network Rail to build a picture of what is desired and what could be achieved. To help bring these projects and principles to fruition, Team London Bridge will work with partners to: – Improve the retail offer – Regenerate the historic railway viaduct area (‘Made in London Bridge’ project) – Respond to major planning applications – Increase the office space quota – Lobby on relevant policy issues – Prioritise and improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists. — “Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) make an excellent contribution to our overall economy and contribute a great deal towards achieving my vision of London as the best big city on earth. I am very proud of London’s record on BIDs, and would like to encourage the development of more BIDs across our great city”. Boris Johnson Mayor of London The London Bridge Plan brings these aspirations together under the principles of: – Identity – Economy – Connectivity – Character and Design – Public Realm – Partnerships What YOU’VE ASKED FOR Scenes depicted on the page opposite show some of the ideas put forward by the business community. These include multi-use shared spaces on St Thomas Street and Tooley Street, changing the environment along the river path and creating a ‘Low Line’ along the arches of the railway viaduct. Core services include: Safety and Security p. 9 — Place Promotion p. 10 — Responsible Business p. 11 — Events p. 12 — News and Awareness p. 13 — Greening p. 16 — Cleaning p. 17 — Transport p. 18 — Cultural Development p. 19 Future ideas for the area 5 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021
- 5. 76 STATION GATEWAYS Make sure new entrances to London Bridge Station are safe, pleasant and easily accessible for pedestrians safety first While 80% now feel ‘very safe’ in the area during business hours, there is demand to continue and expand the additional Police patrols, and continue the early warning security system scrubs up well 70%rated our public areas as ‘excellent’ and requested that the BID’s street cleaning service be continued charity begins at home Or close to it. Brokering volunteering opportunities and providing links between businesses and local charitable groups is seen as a key service that the BID offers WHAT London Bridge BUSINESSES WANT – “Team London Bridge has proved to be a great support network. They offer networking opportunities, events and promote the community excellently. The team themselves are fantastic, friendly and always very professional. Team London Bridge provides a service which is very much appreciated and these types of services should be available in all London communities”. Julie Wilkins, Director, CD International BETTER retail The lack of retail is an ongoing issue. The role of the BID should be to encourage landlords and developers to provide suitable units and bring in a mix of retailers Maintaining an extensive events calendar and using public spaces for arts and entertainment is important for businesses educate and activate the catalyst 81%think that Team London Bridge has changed the area for the better street IMPROVEMENTS Tooley Street and St Thomas Street both need significant improvement. In particular, more greenery, more cycle facilities, prioritising pedestrians over vehicle traffic, and improving signage Strong demand for an increase in hanging baskets and planters, as well as communal green spaces beans and begonias tell me more Passing on local news and information is seen as one of the BID’s key roles Team London Bridge has undertaken substantial consultation with local businesses and employees to understand their requirements and ambitions for the area. The research has formed the basis of this five-year Business Plan.
- 6. 9 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 Achievements Safety in numbers: through the Security Forum we improve links between businesses, the Police and local authority to reduce crime in the area and help make workers, visitors and residents feel safe – day and night — Extra policing: through a contract with the Police, Team London Bridge provides an additional 2,000 patrol hours a year within the BID area — Pubwatch SE1: bi-monthly meetings with the Police and the area’s pubs and bars to discuss issues of concern — Warning and informing: a localised system that alerts security managers to travel disruption and security threats via SMS and email — Resilience: secretariat and founding member of the Southwark Community Security Zone and Forum safety and security Since the inception of Team London Bridge, businesses have identified Safety and Security as their number-one priority BID service. Today the area enjoys a much-improved crime rate that compares favourably to similar districts, however this is not an issue to leave to chance. services for your business What’s next Fear of crime has been reduced and our patrols have helped this. We should maintain the current level of policing — Continue current services, as they all encourage joined-up community security — Roll out DISC – a software system to allow London Bridge’s bars and pubs to share security- related information between themselves efficiently, effectively and securely what you’ve told us — 100%of employees now feel safe walking around the area in business hours — Joined-up security measures are very important — Businesses prefer extra Police patrols to wardens — Staff safety is the main concern for office occupiers — 57%said that the extra Team London Bridge Police patrols were directly beneficial to their business — “As well as the visible presence of the extra policing, you’ve got an impression of safety because of the clean streets, the lack of graffiti and good lighting. All of which have been driven by the BID”. David Potts Ernst Young Each of our services has been chosen by and developed with the London Bridge business community. They maximise the value of levy contributions by pooling resources, bringing in professional expertise where required, and delivering high quality projects. We also raise significant match funding for many projects. To allow these services to continue until 2021, businesses must vote YES in the London Bridge BID Ballot. A NO vote means they will be withdrawn at the end of the 2011-2016 BID term. TEAM LONDON BRIDGE services 8
- 7. 1110 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 — “The Stress Exchange has seen amazing changes during the 14 years we have been on Tooley St. Team London Bridge provides smarter, safer, more useful and attractive spaces while their Responsible Business programme offers value and support to all. I encourage everyone to back the BID”. Ian Egerton The Stress Exchange Achievements Two grant schemes: 4,043 individuals have benefited through 157 grants; with a combined worth of £315,000 — 50+ Responsible Business events, from speed networking and seminars to volunteer days — Christmas giving: 4,000+ gifts for local charities since 2008, as part of our Community Christmas campaign — Estates in Bloom: transforming the communal gardens of Whites Grounds and Tyers Estates at the southern edge of the BID area — Business planning: new Responsible Business programme and vision launched in 2015 — Subsidised recycling scheme: since it started in August 2009, 85 businesses have used the service with 650.28 tonnes recycled — EmploySE1: 800+ jobs advertised to local people RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Successful Responsible Business initiatives, or CSR, require specialist knowledge and reliable relationships. These initiatives can be hard to manage, misunderstood and time consuming, but are an essential element of modern business. Team London Bridge provides this by leading and supporting partnerships between people and businesses to develop a sustainable London Bridge. What’s next Continue all of the Responsible Business initiatives that we currently undertake — Set up a programme of business-to-business mentoring/sharing best practice with regards to Responsible Business — Establish a cross-sector Responsible Business Forum — EmploySE1 to deliver work placements/CV and interview workshops/skills training with established partners — Develop a ‘Responsible Business Toolkit’ to help businesses establish their own CSR policy — Increase the publicity for our members’ Responsible Business work — Identify a Community Space and offer subsidised use to local organisations services for your business what you’ve told us — The London Bridge business community has a key role in tackling local social challenges — Some businesses ‘don’t understand CSR’ and require guidance — Two-thirds of local employees want their business to allow them to volunteer locally — 56%said local businesses should aim to recruit local residents as employees and apprentices place promotion London Bridge has a distinct character and identity, with many stories to tell and fantastic experiences to be had. Predominantly a globally important commercial area, it has cultural, social and historic significance that make it one of the capital’s most invigorating places to work or visit. what you’ve told us — 60%of employees say that Team London Bridge helps them get the most from the area — The heritage of the area is under-promoted and the riverside undervalued — Local employees love using the DealCard — Local green spaces are not well known and should be promoted more What’s next Continue all current marketing activities — Greater integration of technology in marketing initiatives, for example iBeacons — Work with private landlords, Network Rail, Southwark Council and TfL to improve signage and wayfinding — Build the DealCard promotions to be more beneficial and dynamic — Engage better with businesses offering DealCard promotions and the card-holders themselves — Promote the installation of public Wi-Fi throughout London Bridge Achievements DealCard: 14,000+ requested by local employees — London Bridge Revealed: a place brand identified to showcase and portray today’s London Bridge, to be adopted by partners to endorse their offers — One Big Summer Guide: a popular events guide published for the last five years — London Bridge map and guides: over 120,000 are distributed to local employees and visitors annually — Riverside London App: over 50,000 free downloads to date for our event promoting app — Knowledge is key: footfall counts, bi-annual user panels and a retail study have built a valuable databank about the area which is available to access services for your business — “Team London Bridge provide a fantastic overview of what the area has to offer and helps us develop a stronger cultural identity for our occupiers at More London, as well as visitors to our events and retail outlets”. Nadia Al-Sharif More London
- 8. 1312 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 We are very much looking forward to taking part in @TeamLondonBdg #LBOpenKitchen tomorrow with neighbour restaurants – Hutong @HutongShard Huge thanks @TeamLondonBdg for arranging #LoveLunch event at @brigadese1 Great insight into kitchen skills and how they help homeless people – Roger, @roggys Achievements Online: the news section of our website is kept up to date with local news, events and travel disruption. We also cover notable milestones and announcements from BID members — E-updates: this monthly email newsletter summarises the latest key events, news items and DealCard offers — Events: we partner with Network Rail to bring people to quarterly business briefings about the station development News and Awareness Team London Bridge provides a highly valued communication role for businesses and employees. Development updates, transport news, BID services and community information are made available via a number of convenient portals. what you’ve told us — 84%of employees say Team London Bridge keeps them well informed — Teamlondonbridge.co.uk gets over 30,000 views per month — 62% 86% Use of e-update up from 62% in 2011 to 86% in 2014 — 48%of social media users do so for business What’s next Continue to keep London Bridge’s businesses, employees and visitors updated with the area’s latest news — Provide a more leisure-focused e-update — Streamline communications to target the needs of employees better — Use new technology to make communication more convenient services for your business #pocketparks rock! Great opening event with @TeamLondonBdg this evening. We are proud :-) – Mayor of London Environment, @LDN_environment Achievements Out on a school night: around 500 events since Team London Bridge started — Special interest: 50+ ‘Love Lunch’ sessions have included yoga classes, sushi making and exclusive tours of local attractions — Supporting the arts: 4 ‘London Bridge Live Arts’ festivals — Green agenda: 20 ‘Green Network’ events covering topics such as cycling, air quality, and business resilience to climate change — Creative sector: 5 ‘Creative Networks’ with a total of over 250 attendees — London’s Larder: 3 London Bridge Open Kitchen and 4 Dinner in our Back Garden foodie events, showing off local food and drink purveyors in interesting locations events Team London Bridge offers a hugely popular calendar of events and identifies issues and interests that can make a difference. There are lots of business-oriented events out there, but not all of them offer something that genuinely benefits the business or the employee. What’s next Build on the existing events calendar in volume and range of subjects — Offer more continued professional development (CPD) events to improve employee skills — Showcase local venues by hosting events in them — Activate outdoor areas by being inventive with spaces available — Develop industry themed events series to specialist sectors services for your business what you’ve told us — 90%of businesses want to continue the wide-ranging events calendar — 51% prefer evening events, 32% lunchtime, 17% breakfasts — 76%want to see more events in public spaces — 71%want more industry-based networks such as the Creative Network and the Green Network — “The travel updates Team London Bridge provide are always localised, making them much more relevant. Helping MBNA Thames Clippers reach local employees and promote our commuter service in London Bridge is something we highly value”. Louise Errington MBNA Thames Clippers
- 9. 14 PROJECT MAP Team London Bridge has left its mark on the map over the past 10 years. The ‘Key Projects’ below are some of the environmental improvements already completed and ‘Your Aspirations’ illustrates projects featured in the London Bridge Plan that you’ve told us are important for the area’s future. KEY projects 2006–2016 YOUR ASPIRATIONS TOWER BRIDGE LOWER THAMES STREET TANNER ST NEWCOMEN STREET GREATMAZEPOND WESTONSTREET ABBEY ST HMS BELFAST GUY’S HOSPITAL LAFONESTREET HORSELYDOWNLANE TOOLEYSTREET COTTONS CENTRE BOROUGH MARKET TOWER OF LONDON ALL HALLOWS BY THE TOWER RIVER PATH RIVER PATH ST JOHN’S CHURCHYARD PARK HILTON HOTEL UNICORNTHEATRE POTTERS FIELDS PARK KING’S COLLEGE LONDON BOROUGHHIGHSTREET BYWARD STREET LOWER THAMES STREET LONDON BRIDGE QUEEN’S WALK MORE LONDON LONDON BRIDGE THE SCOOP AT MORE LONDON THE SHARD CITY HALL SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL LONDON BRIDGE WALK 1 Greenwood Theatre Pocket Park Formally a bleak 1970s hulk, a Pocket Park now wraps around the Theatre to transform Weston Street 4 The Low line Activate a world-class pedestrian and cycle focused public realm immediately adjacent to the restored splendour of the railway viaduct arches and tunnels 4 Estates Greening project The Whites Grounds and Tyers Estates border the BID, so installing greening, public art and community gardens benefits all 5 Duke Street Hill shared space Improve connectivity and coordinate transport modes outside London Bridge tube station, making a safer more welcoming street environment 5 Tooley Street Triangle AND GREEN WALL Renovating a tired public space with a contemporary garden and adding a living green wall along the side of busy Tooley Street 6 fresh air squares Pop-up roadside parklets that increase awareness of air pollution 7 Snowsfields street improvements Better for pedestrians, cyclists and businesses following a pavement widening programme 3 St Thomas Street boulevard Design a pedestrian and bicycle focused shared-surface street that supports small businesses, shops, eateries and a vibrant evening economy 3 Melior Street Community Garden A flagship project that created a vegetable garden and public space while ending anti-social behaviour issues 2 LONDON BRIDGE Station Square A reinvented public realm at the station’s new entrance on Tooley Street, creating better links to amenities, improving wayfinding and making a beautiful new space for pedestrians 2 Gibbon’s Rent Community Garden A forgotten alleyway turned into a secret garden space, complete with Little Library 1 THAMES ESPLANADE A new walkway extending out over the Thames from London Bridge City Pier, under London Bridge, to Cathedral Square 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 3 1 4 5 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? YOU DECIDE... From 24 September to 29 October 2015 businesses will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to endorse this Business Plan and be part of Team London Bridge for another five years. See page 28 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 1514 YES 2016–2021 bid boundary
- 10. 1716 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 Achievements Extra cleaning: providing 50% on top of the Council’s baseline level — Jet wash: jet-washing programme — Checking up: weekly environmental audits — Monitoring: 3 formal environmental audits a year, reporting to the Council and ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ campaign — Deep clean: 24 pavement ‘deep cleans’ and gum removal since the start of the BID — 24-hour response to graffiti and fly tipping cleaning A well-maintained public realm is a strong reflection on the surrounding business community and that’s the reason why regular, additional street cleaning remains one of our key services. Team London Bridge is also able to respond immediately to any incidents of rubbish dumping or graffiti. what you’ve told us — Out of all services, the additional street cleaning is the one our businesses value most — 86%of people thought that London Bridge is the same or better than other Central London areas for litter — The high level of noise and dust from construction work is an issue — Air quality is poor What’s next Continue to work with all parties, including Network Rail, to reduce the impact of the Station redevelopment on the business community — Continue our additional street cleaning service and lobby the Council to increase its baseline accordingly — Work with businesses and other stakeholders to better co-ordinate the collection of commercial waste — Monitor air quality and link to wider London studies Achievements Green streets: over 120 hanging baskets and planters throughout the BID area — Pocket Park: delivered one of the Mayor of London’s first ‘Pocket Parks’ at the Greenwood Theatre on Weston Street — Community garden: Gibbon’s Rent is now a small urban oasis complete with a ‘Little Library’ book exchange — Calm and tranquil: the Melior Street Community Garden continues to flourish and is a leading example of how to combat anti-social behaviour — Award winners: London Bridge received both an Environment Award and Silver Gilt in the RHS ‘Britain In Bloom’ competition — Green wall: the Fair Street green wall has now been tripled in length — Fresh Air Square: the ‘Fresh Air Square’ parklets concept was a successful entry in TfL’s Future Streets Incubator Fund competition — Tooley Street Triangle: renovating the open space surrounding the Grade II listed statue of Samuel Bourne Bevington on Tooley Street greening We’re putting London Bridge’s business community at the forefront of urban greening. Our aim is to make London Bridge a pleasant, healthy place, and one of the main ways we can do this is by bringing a bit of greenery and colour to our streets. what you’ve told us — Green spaces are important, as they reflect the quality of an area and provide places in which staff can relax — You would like to have more communal green spaces, such as the Greenwood Theatre Pocket Park — 19% of people rated the area’s public realm as ‘excellent’ in 2014, compared to just 9% in 2011 — More hanging baskets and planters where possible What’s next Expand the number of hanging baskets and planters — Continue to showcase the area in the London In Bloom and RHS Britain In Bloom competitions — Develop more communal green spaces in appropriate locations — Work with landlords and our member businesses to develop more green walls and roofs — Lobby for, and participate in, the delivery of the London Bridge ‘Low Line’ — Deliver ‘Fresh Air Squares’ – small, modular parks designed to monitor and mitigate air pollution services for your area services for your area – “Cleanliness is imperative in making people feel welcome, safe and proud of their area. Team London Bridge’s extra street cleaning is necessary if we are to maintain this busy area to the high standards that have been set”. Nick Cowell London Bridge Hotel — “The contribution to the area that Team London Bridge has made over the 9 years our restaurant has been in Tooley Street is enormous. The greening, cleaning and project work provides the ‘icing on the cake’ of the area’s rebirth”. Roger Faulks Magdalen Restaurant
- 11. 1918 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 Achievements Heritage: the London Bridge Identity project in 2013 highlighted the heritage of the area as being ‘at risk’ if not managed in a coordinated way — Creative Network: Team London Bridge has developed a burgeoning ‘London Bridge Creative Network’, a cultural movement with a local focus — Arches and Tunnels: the London Bridge Arches and Tunnels research project investigated the potential of an arts and cultural hub in the railway viaduct — Promotion: Team London Bridge’s place promotion activities ensure the local cultural offer is collectively recognised alongside that of Bankside and the South Bank cultural development Placing culture at the heart of future development ensures that the heritage and identity of the area are maintained, nurtured and promoted. London Bridge is blessed with a diverse cultural offer which needs to be recognised in a more strategic way if we are to enjoy the benefits. what you’ve told us — Local heritage and culture isn’t celebrated enough — Some ‘attractions’ remain hidden — There is great potential for the area as a cultural hub — London Bridge should have stronger cultural links to surrounding areas along the riverside What’s next Team London Bridge will work with the local arts and culture offer and produce a strategy to ensure it is developed appropriately — Any design guidelines in the London Bridge Plan (p.4) should reflect local character — Increase promotion of local attractions alongside Bankside and South Bank partners where appropriate — Promote the development and use of the arches and tunnels to maximise their potential and maintain railway heritage Achievements Keeping employees informed: throughout periods of transport disruption — Cycle parking: cycle parking installed on Snowsfields — Better streets: we published London Bridge Future Streets to identify strategic projects and the improvements needed to the local road network — Business class: we made sure business interests were included in the plans for London Bridge Station — Transport links: we undertook a connectivity study to see how cars, bikes and pedestrians can best use our streets and pavements transport London Bridge is one of the capital’s best-connected business areas. And with a £700 million investment in a new station due to be delivered in 2018, the transport infrastructure in London Bridge will be vastly improved. However, we believe that much more can be done to make the experience of travelling to, from and via London Bridge so much easier and more enjoyable. what you’ve told us — Wayfinding through the area is difficult — The tunnels through the viaduct are perceived as dangerous and unpleasant — Greater priority needs to be given to pedestrians and cyclists — The river walkway at the western end can become heavily congested What’s next Develop a cycling strategy for the area — Commence a free cycle repair and cycle security service — Lobby for and participate in the delivery of the London Bridge ‘Low Line’: a green pedestrian/cycle route running adjacent to the railway viaduct — Lobby for the improvement of major thoroughfares such as St Thomas Street and Tooley Street — Improve the access to London Bridge City Pier to encourage employees and visitors to make better use of river transport — Explore the feasibility of widening the river walkway at the eastern foot of London Bridge services for your area services for your area – “Science Gallery at King’s College London has benefited enormously from our ongoing collaboration with Team London Bridge. They have a clear vision for the cultural scene in London Bridge and, more importantly, its future. They promote innovation but always with a sensitivity to the rich and deep history of the area”. Dr Daniel Glaser Science Gallery London — “London Bridge is arguably the city’s most important transport hub, this evokes the need to consider the local transport modes holistically, and align them with new structural, economic and population demands”. Paul Hanrahan London Bridge Quarter
- 12. 2120 Achievements since 2005 September/ october 2015 renewal ballot for our third term (2016-2021) 2005 October Ballot – businesses vote in favour of establishing the BID: 72% by number of votes; 78% by rateable value 2007 February DealCard launched May Community Security Zone established 2008 MaRCH Subsidised Recycling Study 2009 June InfoBike service launched August First Mile subsidised recycling scheme begins November Snowsfields street improvements Shipwright Yard pocket plaza Melior Street Garden completed 2010 November TLB wins BID of the Year from Mayor of London October Renewal ballot – businesses vote in favour of TLB continuing for a further five years: 77% by number of votes; 89% by rateable value February Tree lighting along Tooley Street 2012 July Legible London signage introduced to London Bridge area June Gibbon’s Rent Garden completed may Olympic Travel Planning Service 2011 october British BIDs Advanced Acreditation 2013 October RHS Britain in Bloom Silver Gilt award July London Bridge Place Identity Project June Tooley Street Green Wall installed 2014 October RHS Britain in Bloom Environment Award June London Bridge Plan project begins February ‘Made in London Bridge’ published – proposal for the arches and tunnels January ‘London Bridge Future Streets’ report for TfL 2015 September First Fresh Air Square July Tooley Street Triangle refurbishment May A new website for London Bridge Responsible Business Forum launched March Greenwood Theatre Pocket Park opens Team London Bridge has brought in over £1.6m additional funding to date 2006 April TLB becomes operational for its first five-year term June TLB extra Police patrols and street cleaning begin From 24 September to 29 October 2015 businesses will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to endorse this Business Plan and be part of Team London Bridge for another five years. Southwark Council is responsible for managing the process and sends out a ballot paper to each eligible business. Responding is easy. Either place your cross in the box marked ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ in response to the question, “Are you in favour of the proposals for the renewal of the London Bridge Business Improvement District?” The ballot paper should be signed by the person that completed it and returned in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope. See page 28 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? YOU VOTE... YES
- 13. 23 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 The Board Dinwiddie MacLaren Architects – James Dinwiddie (Chair) HMS Belfast – Phil Reed OBE Anthony Gold – Howard Lerman London Borough of Southwark – Cllr Fiona Colley EY – David Potts The Bridge Lounge – Nigel Guy London Bridge Quarter – Paul Hanrahan The Team The BID will be managed by a core executive team, currently consisting of: Nadia Broccardo – Executive Director Shane Clarke – Deputy Executive Director Donald Campbell – Place Marketing Manager Bethany Hogan – Partnerships and Events Manager Henry Johnstone – Business Manager Justyna Piotrowska – Administrator the london bridge team BOARd businesses EXECUTIVE TEAM SoutHwark council NETWORK RAIL TfL LONDON BIDs landowners/ developers BRITISH BIDs GLA CROSS RIVER PARTNERSHIP RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY green network GLA BIDs Steering Group creative network marketing group SOUTHWARK FUNDERS security forum Potters Fields Park Management Trust RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Forum Riverside Safer Neighbourhood Group london bridge transport AND GATEWAY GROUPs TEAM LONDON BRIDGE 22
- 14. Why London Bridge has a BID Where we live, we’re used to the concept of being represented by community groups and local authorities, but business communities have different needs. BIDs understand the business world, are business-led, not-for-profit organisations that work in the interests of their members to make improvements to the trading environment. Your Contribution to the BID The BID levy will be the principal source of income for the BID. For the first year this will be set at 1.15% of the rateable value of each hereditament (rateable property) within the BID area valued at £10,000 or more. This low threshold ensures that a wide range of businesses contribute to the BID – both large and small. — Premises with a rateable value of less than £10,000 will be exempt from paying the levy and therefore will not be eligible to vote in the ballot. Currently this means 421 rateable properties will be eligible for the vote. — The BID levy multiplier will be increased by a maximum of 3% each year as agreed by the Board on an annual basis. — The maximum amount of levy paid by each hereditament will be capped at £50,000. — The BID levy will be applied to properties listed in the 2010 Ratings List and updated for changes in ratepayer appeals, additions and removals from the list. It is important to note that all UK business rateable values will be reassessed in 2017. Therefore, for newly assessed hereditaments (brought about by for example: challenges, hereditament splits or mergers, or new development) after 1 April 2017, the BID levy will be applied to the rateable values as per those in the 2017 Ratings List. — The following types of hereditament will be excluded from voting and from paying the BID levy: advertising hoardings, communication stations/telecom masts, schools, places of worship and ATMs. — The BID levy will be extended to occupiers of business premises built or first occupied in the BID area during the life of the BID. — Businesses receiving charitable relief on their business rates will have the same relief applied to the BID levy. No other type of relief (small business, industrial relief, historical, etc) will be applied to the BID levy. — The BID levy will be chargeable to the property owner where a hereditament becomes vacant. This will be at a discounted rate of 50%. Owners with empty properties receiving 100% business rates relief will still be required to pay the 50% levy on their empty properties. — Where an occupier moves out of a property, they will receive a refund for the remainder of the year. Where an occupier moves in to a property part-way through the year they will be charged from that point. — The BID term would be for five years, commencing on 1 April 2016 and ending 31 March 2021. Before the end of this period, the BID Board may choose to seek renewal of the BID for a further term through a renewal ballot. Who backs BIDs? From high streets to commercial areas and city centres, it’s a model that’s been hugely successful in the UK over the past 10 years. There are currently over 180 BIDs and combined they collect over £65.5m in BID levy, and generate a further £9.9m in direct additional income. This money gets spent directly on things that businesses have identified as being important to them, which often have many benefits to the community as a whole. Across London there are currently 47, in locations such as: Bankside, Waterloo, the West End, Holborn, Kingston, Victoria, Camden, Fitzrovia and Paddington. London BIDs are strongly endorsed by the Mayor’s Office and the GLA. At present, Southwark Council collects the BID levy on behalf of Team London Bridge. This is governed and administered within the guidelines set out in the BID (England) Regulations 2004. The collection rate of the BID levy is regularly above 98%. How does it work? As in London Bridge, a BID starts when a group of neighbouring businesses identify common needs and ideas. A public ballot is held, and if the proposed projects are supported by over 50% of businesses within an identified area (see p. 15), a BID is formed. This process is repeated every five years and businesses pay an annual BID ‘levy’ (see opposite page) on the rateable value of properties they occupy in the BID area. The levy is applied to all properties with a rateable value of £10,000 or more, so there is no freeloading, everyone contributes. Who runs it? You do. The London Bridge business community. Team London Bridge operates as a Company Limited by Guarantee; it is not part of the Council and the projects and services that a BID delivers do not replace existing services already provided by the Council or the Police. It’s crucial that the activities of Team London Bridge clearly add value over and above the services provided in the area by the Council and other bodies: we have therefore drawn up a Baseline Agreement for this very purpose. For more information please see teamlondonbridge.co.uk/baseline. You, the businesses, nominate representatives from local organisations to form a Board of Directors. They oversee a small executive team who manage the day-to-day projects and services. With little red tape, good local relationships and some specialist knowledge, Team London Bridge is able to get things done, quickly, on your behalf. The levy can be collected in either of the following two ways: A In two instalments, on 1 April and 1 October of each year. B In one instalment on 1 April each year. This money is then passed to Team London Bridge as a ring- fenced amount each month. Any overpayments will be credited to the next financial year or refunded as appropriate. Any reduction will be rationalised within a 12-month period unless otherwise agreed between Team London Bridge and Southwark Council. 25 BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 24
- 15. BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 predicted incomE planned expenditure breakdown by service TOTAL planned EXPENDITURE 2726 Five-year financial forecast Additional Funding Over the past 5 years the BID has, on average, brought in an additional £250,000 per year from sources other than the BID levy – an amount we expect to remain relatively constant during the third BID term from 2016-2021. These funds are usually contributions towards specific capital projects from partners such as the GLA, Southwark Council, TfL and Network Rail. Any additional funding not related to specific projects will be allocated by the Board. expenditure from 2016 – 2021 by service £0 £50,000 £100,000 £150,000 £200,000 £250,000 £300,000 £350,000 £400,000 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2016—17 2017—18 2018—19 2019—20 2020—21 £0 £300,000 £600,000 £900,000 £1,200,000 £1,500,000additional £250,000 Recycling and Sustainability Safety and Security Events Street Cleaning Place Making and Greening Responsible Business Area Promotion and Marketing Place Making and Greening £1,826,157 38.8% Area Promotion and Marketing £883,717 18.8% Responsible Business £789,965 16.8% Street Cleaning £504,554 10.7% Safety and Security £271,109 5.8% Events £254,985 5.4% Recycling and Sustainability £170,879 3.7% Total Expenditure £4,701,369
- 16. BUSINESSPLAN2016—2021 Renewal Ballot Timetable Ballot opens: 24 September 2015 – ballot papers issued to businesses Ballot closes: 29 October 2015 – ballot papers must be received no later than 5pm Team London Bridge will contact businesses within the BID boundary to discuss this Business Plan. Each business must nominate a named contact who will receive the ballot papers. To do this or check who your representative is, please email info@teamlondonbridge.co.uk How to Vote Southwark Council is responsible for managing and paying for the ballot, to ensure it is carried out fairly and not influenced by the BID. A ballot paper will be sent to each rateable business unit, to be completed by placing a cross in the box marked ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ in response to the question “Are you in favour of the proposals for the renewal of the London Bridge Business Improvement District.” The ballot paper should be signed by the person that completed it and returned in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope. The BID will proceed over 2016-2021 if two tests are met: 1. A simple majority of those voting in the ballot must vote in favour. 2. Of the votes cast, those voting in favour must represent a majority by rateable value of the hereditaments (rateable properties). If a business has more than one rateable business unit, it will receive a ballot paper FOR EACH UNIT. Each paper counts as one vote. It is important that EVERY paper received is completed and returned. Thank you for taking part in this important process. Voting in the Ballot Alteration of the BID and termination of the BID The streets and hereditaments to be included in the BID area may change due to alterations in Southwark Council’s ratings list. Hereditaments may be additionally included if their rateable value at any time during the BID period meets or exceeds £10,000 or they are newly added to the ratings list and the rateable value criteria is met. Hereditaments may also be excluded from the BID area and the BID levy charge in cases where amendments are made to the ratings list and this results in either a removal of hereditaments from the list or an alteration of the rateable value to below £10,000. BID arrangements may be altered without an alteration ballot as long as there is no proposal to alter: – The geographical area of the BID – The BID levy in such a way that would: a) Cause any person to be liable to pay the BID levy who was not previously liable to pay; or b) Increase the BID levy for any person other than the maximum 3% agreed by the Board, as mentioned previously. Southwark Council may terminate the BID if: a) In the Council’s opinion, the BID has insufficient finances. Before this happens, however, the Council must offer the BID body a reasonable opportunity to arrange for financing the shortfall or for a reduction in the works or services which is sufficient to offset the shortfall. In addition, the Council must give those businesses that are liable for the BID levy an opportunity, at a public meeting, to make representations in relation to the termination of the BID arrangements. b) The Council is unable, due to any cause beyond its control, to provide works or services which are necessary for the BID to continue and the authority has consulted the BID and conducted a consultation with such representatives of the business community for the BID area as the authority considers appropriate. Team London Bridge may terminate the BID arrangements if: a) The works or services to be provided are no longer required. b) It is unable, due to any cause beyond its control, to provide works or services that are necessary for the BID to continue. 28 YES 29
- 17. Team London Bridge 6 Hay’s Lane London SE1 2HB T: 020 7407 4701 E: info@teamlondonbridge.co.uk teamlondonbridge.co.uk atlondonbridge.com @teamlondonbdg