A landslide victory for Inmidtown – the business improvement district representing the interests of over 300 businesses in Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles – as its ambitious five year plan was given the backing of business leaders.
Over 88% of businesses – 256 in total – in Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles voted ‘YES’ (representing 90% of the businesses’ rateable value) securing the plan which will guarantee over £15m of private investment for the area. Of all the BID business, 72% voted in the election.
The results are the highest recorded for any BID –of this large scale in the UK. Leaders in the business community include The British Museum, Olswang, Mitsubishi, MediaCom, Grange Hotels, Yahoo! and BUPA. Now, on 1st April the BIDs five year mandate will begin, securing Midtown’s position as one of London’s most significant commercial districts and a major, globally renowned business destination.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The continued success of the capital’s economy relies on ensuring our great city remains attractive and competitive in order to support businesses and attract new investment. London’s Business Improvement Districts make a very significant contribution to achieving that goal, and the five year plan set out by ‘inmidtown’ promises to deliver some remarkable improvements across an important part of our city.”
Dr Julie Grail, chief executive, British BIDs: “Given the hugely professional and dedicated team at Inmidtown, I was never in any doubt that they would secure a third term but their result today truly puts them at the top of their game. It is a phenomenal result, which is thoroughly deserved particularly the turnout, which is the largest seen for a BID of that size.”
Over the last 10 years – through the work of Inmidtown – the area has been building a reputation as a district that does things differently and has started to become one of the most talked about in London. Through initiatives which create a platform for businesses within the area to work together, the BID has been instrumental in driving forward its status as a thriving commercial centre. Key projects delivered included: joint procurement projects such as ‘zero to landfill’ waste services; joint taxi and courier schemes; major initiatives such as the Midtown Big ideas Exchange [a series of discussions and debates]; Crime prevention tactics and close working relationships with Transport for London to drive forward the improvement plans for Holborn tube station.
Tass Mavrogordato, chief executive of Inmidtown, said: “With over £3.6bn of private and public investment set to be invested into the area over the next three years, this is an exciting time for Midtown, With the ballot won our journey begins today to deliver an ambitious and exciting five year plan to support the transformation of this vibrant area for its businesses, workers, and visitors and residents who make Midtown the vibrant, dynamic destination that it is.”
She added: “The imminent arrival of International Herald Tribune headquarters further cements the area’s vibrancy and location of choice for business and institutions in creative industries.”
The new five-year mandate will deliver a £15m cash injection to fund a series of initiatives that will tackle local issues and ensure that Midtown is a great place to work and do business visit:
- Holborn Tube improvements: Actively working with Transport for London to drive forward plans for the upgrade and modernisation of Holborn Underground station, to accommodate the 50% increase in travellers expected by 2031.
- Street access and safety: Working with Camden Council to support the implementation plans for new signage and the removal of the gyratory systems for safer travel.
- Drive inward investment: Aiming to cement Midtown as a major area for commercial growth and continue to lobby and positively influence planning policy.
- Create safer streets: Reducing crime will be of key importance with two dedicated police officers and a Hotel Watch scheme in place, which will offer a platform to share intelligence.
- Creating the most sustainable business district: Expand and grow its successful portfolio of innovative solutions catering to the business community such as zero-to-landfill waste package, closed-loop stationary programme and joint procurement services.
- The district for business: Launching business events, seminars and discussions to unite the Midtown business community with the aim of strengthening the area’s identity and further driving visitor numbers.
- Supporting the local community: Implementing local apprenticeships and work experience programmes. Creating innovative and exciting new programmes to add to its strong portfolio of ‘Lunchtime Farming Initiatives’ which include rooftop gardens, urban beekeeping and the Chicken Coop at Corum Fields.
Councillor Phil Jones, Camden Council added: “The Council and business working together is an important part of ensuring Camden’s economy continues to thrive. With this in mind I am delighted that the businesses of Holborn, Bloomsbury and St Giles have given inmidtown a new five year mandate. I look forward to working closely with inmidtown on key projects over the next few years including public realm improvements, Holborn Underground station’s redevelopment and reforming the Holborn gyratory.”
Tony Matharu, Grange Hotels said: ‘We have a very long standing relationship with Inmidtown. Having worked with them for over 10 years, their tremendous value to Grange Hotels can be measured in many different ways. Namely the area is so much more vibrant and active than it was when we first moved in. The BID has played a pivotal role in driving forward improvements to enhance the area which the local and business community have really benefited from – it is now a safe, cleaner and better place for those who live, work and visit. I applaud the passion and continuous hard work of inmidtown.’
Julie Rogers, Mitsubishi and acting chair of Inmidtown: ‘We are delighted that Midtown is set to reach new heights over the next five years, building on the fantastic work that has already transformed the area into a London destination we are very proud of. There is such a diverse range of businesses here – from tech to arts and culture – which makes it a rich and inspirational place to work and we look forward to taking part in and benefitting from the future initiatives that Inmidtown plans to implement.’
Midtown – the middle of town, bringing together Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles with the City in the east of and the retail district of the West End to the west – has undergone a radical transformation and become a vibrant sought after commercial centre. No longer the gateway between the City and the West End, Midtown has benefitted from billions of pounds of private and public investment funding major developments including the £350m development of Centre Point and the £22m Africa House; its rental values have risen from £40 per square foot to £72 per square foot, although they remain competitive [rents are still 14% below the West End], and daily visitor numbers have increased to over 1.5 million.
