Friday 4 July 2025:

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

Spending Review

• Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first Spending Review, setting departmental budgets until 2028-2029, marking a decisive shift in public investment strategy, with real-term growth in departmental budgets and landmark commitments in health, housing, clean energy, and innovation. The emphasis is firmly on devolution and regional rebalancing, with much of the new capital spending directed towards supporting growth in the North and Midlands. HOLBA ‘s analysis and reaction on the Spending Review can be accessed here.

Industrial Strategy

• The Government published its Industrial Strategy, including a Creative Industries Sector Plan. The plan commits to doubling business investment in the creative sector to £31 billion by 2035, supporting clusters outside London, and backing sub-sectors like film, TV, music, video games, performing and visual arts, and advertising. Key measures include a £100 million UKRI investment in R&D creative clusters, expanded finance for creative start-ups through the British Business Bank, a new Creative Content Exchange for licensing and monetising IP, and a refreshed £9 million creative careers service to boost skills and talent pipelines.

£725 billion Investment plan for National Infrastructure

• The National Infrastructure Strategy which outlines a £735 billion long-term investment plan over the next decade will prioritise investment in transport upgrades, energy networks for net-zero, and digital infrastructure improvements, supporting city centre regeneration.

IN WESTMINSTER

Pedicabs

• Westminster City Council has launched a consultation on interim measures to address “the most problematic behaviours” by pedicabs. The proposed Public Space Protection Order would give enforcement teams greater powers. The consultation is open from 20 June to 20 July 2025, with a decision expected by late August.

CCTV

• Installation of 32 new CCTV cameras approved in May has started across Soho, Chinatown, and Leicester Square, with completion expected by early July.

City Plan

• The Planning Inspectorate published initial findings from the City Plan Partial Review Examination.

Councillor Update

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters, Matt Noble, has announced that he is to stand down from Cabinet. He will be replaced by Cllr Ellie Ormsby.

GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY

Pedicabs

• TfL has published the results of its consultation on regulating pedicabs, showing overwhelming support for formal regulation to improve safety and driver standards. TfL confirmed it will use this feedback to develop detailed proposals for further consultation later this year, with new regulations expected in early 2026.

Oxford Street

• City Hall’s consultation on plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street found strong support, with around 70% backing the Mayor’s proposals. Sadiq Khan confirmed he will move forward with establishing a Mayoral Development Corporation by January 2026 to lead regeneration efforts.

St Martin’s Lane to participate in Summer Streets pilot

• St Martin’s Lane will join the Mayor of London’s new Summer Streets pilot from late August to October 2025, reimagining the street for al fresco dining and street activity, following a successful joint submission by HOLBA and Westminster City Council.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Crime and Safety

• Chaired a roundtable with Commander James Conway at the BusinessLDN annual conference on tackling crime in London and its impact on businesses, investors and the visitor economy. HOLBA also held a meeting with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alexis Boon and colleagues to discuss better ways of working together.

Political Engagement

• Conducted a walkaround with MP Saqib Bhatti around the Heart of London area and visited three member businesses. Met with Linden Grigg, an official for Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the DCMS Select Committee. We discussed examination of the experience economy by the Committee.

Business Rate Reform

• Submitted two written parliamentary questions (via Saqib Bhatti MP) and received answers.  Sent letters to key Government departments about adoption of the new Combined Business Rate.  Also met with Colliers and the GLA to discuss our campaign.

Evening and Nighttime Economy

• Submitted responses to WCC’s Westminster After Dark consultation and the GLA Nightlife Taskforce survey.

International Centre for Commerce and Experience

• Submitted responses to the London Plan consultation (already circulated) and the Camden Local Plan.

Placeshaping

• Confirmed a visit to the Heart of London area in August with Councillor Max Sullivan, Cabinet member responsible for Streets and Cycling Champion to discuss HOLBA’s placeshaping strategy and proposed projects.

BID process reform

• Supported a letter from Cllr Adam Hug to Alex Norris MP about instating electronic voting for BIDs

WHAT’S COMING UP

• Following up with Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alexis Boon about establishing a new West End Forum
• Writing to the Soft Power Council to advocate for harnessing the soft power of the West End.
• Following up with Government departments about meetings to discuss business rate reform and issuing a press release on the estimated ‘triple business rate hit’ on West End businesses from next April
• Meeting with the Industry and Parliamentary Trust to discuss a roundtable focused on the Experience Economy to take place in December
• Taking part in a C-suite roundtable discussion on ‘The Evolution of London’s West End’ organised by Built Environment News
• Holding a roundtable with senior leaders from the theatre sector to discuss our International Centre for Commerce and Experience proposal
• Attending the inaugural BusinessLDN Culture Council
• Responding to TfL’s Congestion Charge consultation
• Attending roundtables on licensing reform and crime organised by the GLA