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West End International Centre

The West End is one of the world’s most prominent clusters of leisure, culture, hospitality, events, attractions, and late night economy businesses; the area is poised to be the best Experience Economy district in the world

HOLBA, alongside our members and stakeholders, are seeking to enhance the area’s current International Centre designation in both remit and geography so that key parts of the West End are designated as a West End International Centre (WEIC). This new designation, recognised in the London Plan, will serve as a vehicle to unlock growth through planning and licensing reform, funding to accelerate infrastructure projects, and greater stewardship of place and experience. 

Current issues in the West End: 

Licensing and planning processes are conducted separately, and so contradictory decisions are often made without recognition of the wider economic and cultural value of venues. 

Current designations in the West End - International Centre and WERLSPA - are predominantly retail-focused and no longer represent the full breadth of activity and opportunities in the area. 

The West End is treated with the same broad-brush stroke as elsewhere in London.  

An evolution of the London Plan’s International Centre designation would unlock growth in the world’s best Experience Economy district.  

 

SECURITY

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Proportionate, tech-enabled security, with seamless 24-hour participation, resulting in balanced perceptions of safety.

 
INFRASTRUCTURE

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Safe, inclusive, quality spaces, resulting in increased attractiveness for dwell time and spending.
PUBLIC REALM

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Safe, inclusive, quality spaces, resulting in increased attractiveness for dwell time and spending.
LICENSING

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Integrated, consistent decision-making that supports innovation, investment, and the Experience Economy.
MANAGEMENT

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Unified place management that reduces fragmentation and duplication, creating a seamless visitor experience.

The opportunity for change is now 

Global rise of the Experience Economy:

  • Worth $5.2 trillion globally, forecast to reach $12.8 trillion by 2028  
  • In the UK, valued at £300 billion (2022)  
  • Represented 14.1% of discretionary household spending by 2017  

Policy momentum:

  • The Government’s focus on economic growth
  • Feb 2025: Mayor of London recognises the Experience Economy as a key sector in his Growth Plan
  • April 2025: Government and GLA announce trialling new powers for Mayoral licensing control
  • May 2025: The draft of the new London Plan presents an opportunity for a relook at London’s spatial strategy May 2025: New Nightlife Taskforce  announced by the GLA, and After Dark Strategy consultation launched by Westminster City Council
  • June 2025: The Government recognises the Creative Industries as a key growth sector in its Industrial Strategy 

What would WEIC mean for the West End’s businesses? 

Recognition of the West End as a WEIC would help to unlock the area’s full economic potential and deliver targeted support where it’s most needed. It would: 

  • Ensure investment in the public realm, infrastructure and security to enhance the visitor experience and boost business confidence
  • Enable policy reforms that support innovation, flexibility, and sustainable growth in the Experience Economy
  • Recognise the West End as a strategic cultural and economic asset—one that merits bespoke governance and long-term investment 

Are there international precedents? 

Global cities like Tokyo, New York, Sydney, and Paris have implemented similar forms of area-based recognition to support economic clusters and cultural destinations. 

What happens next? 

Having submitted a case study to the Draft London Plan, in the coming months HOLBA will present detailed evidence bases, economic modelling, and impact analysis to strengthen the case for WEIC designation, advocating for its inclusion in the London Plan.