Broad Street Ward Interest

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, Wider City of London Interest

City Corporation Supports Businesses Through COVID-19 Outbreak

Businesses in the Square Mile are being urged to take advantage of measures announced in the Budget to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the City of London Corporation pledging to support firms struggling as a result of the current outbreak.

The Chancellor announced a number of changes in the Budget on Wednesday designed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular, including some that directly impact on business rates.

The City Corporation is awaiting confirmation from central Government on exactly how the reliefs will be applied. However, the following additional assistance has been announced:

  • An increase to the planned rates discount for pubs from £1,000 to £5,000 for 2020
  • A 100% reduction in 2020/21 for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors where they have a rateable value below £51,000
  • Cash grants of £3,000 to very small businesses with rateable values below £15,000

As a result of these exceptional measures some qualifying businesses or organisations may receive a bill that will require an update for the 2020/21 financial year.

The City Corporation will contact all those likely to be affected by these changes once the exact details of how the reliefs are to be applied is known. Any businesses affected or with queries about their rates should contact businessrates@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, said:

“We recognise that businesses based in the Square Mile are facing difficult trading conditions as a result of the current outbreak. The Chancellor rightly set out steps to support households and businesses, particularly SMEs, in the Budget earlier this week. We will contact those businesses covered by these changes and urge those facing genuine hardship to get in touch.”

Jeremy Mayhew, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Finance Committee, said:

“In these testing times, it is vital that those businesses facing real difficulties are supported. The measures announced in the Budget were a positive step, particularly for SMEs. We will continue to work with businesses based in the Square Mile to offer as much support as possible.”

The City of London was home to 23,890 businesses in 2019, with 99% of these firms classified as SMEs. There were also around 1,000 new start-ups in the Square Mile last year.

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest

Broadening Old Broad Bus Stops

We are proposing to install some highway improvement on Old Broad Street near Pinner’s Passage.  The proposal includes:

  • Introduce a pedestrian refuge outside near Pinner’s Passage.
  • A provision of new loading bay

However, to accommodate these improvements the southwest bound bus stop will need to be moved.

The public consultation letter and drawing is being sent to affected frontages seeking their views on the proposal. We anticipate the improvements will be implemented by August 2020.  If you have any comments on this proposal or require any additional information, please let Isaac Taylor know by 26 March 2020.

 

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, Wardmotes & Wardmights

Notice Of Wardmote – 18 March 2020, Dutch Church

Please be advised that the Annual Wardmote in the Ward of Broad Street will take place at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 18 March, in the Dutch Church, 7 Austin Friars, London EC2N 2HA.

It is open to one and all, no need to book.  If you would like to raise a topic in advance, please feel free to send an email to Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli – michael.mainelli@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Oesewalum and the Vikings

(ours are much more peaceful than the Saxon-Viking ones)

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest

Bartholomew Lane Junction With Threadneedle Street – Pedestrian Improvements

Starting on Saturday 16th November 2019 for four consecutive weekends, the City of London will be undertaking pedestrian improvement work at the junction of Bartholomew Lane and Threadneedle Street. During these weekends a short diversion allowing access to all nearby properties will be in place that will allow the junction to be closed to allow for work to proceed.

Potentially noisy works are due to take place from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and from 9am to 2pm on Sunday and, to confirm, the junction will remain open on weekdays during construction. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with Reach Active’s utility work in the area to minimise the disruption caused to local businesses and residents.

This work, the design of which is overleaf, forms part of pedestrian improvements around Bank Junction and will include construction of a new footpath buildout and raised section of road. These improvements are designed to make crossing Bartholomew Lane at this location safer and more comfortable for pedestrians.

Should you have any questions, queries or concerns, please contact Daniel Laybourn at daniel.laybourn@cityoflondon.gov.uk or on 0207 332 3041 to discuss.

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, General Interest, Wider City of London Interest

June Newsletter – Dutch Church, Austin Friars’ – Dutch Hidden Gem

We’re delighted to have a guest author for our six monthly ward newsletter –  Rev. Bertjan van de Lagemaat, Minister of the Dutch Church.

Broad Street Ward News – 2019 June

The newsletter covers the fascinating role the Church plays in our ward and City community, as well as their most successful Kingsday.

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, Wider City of London Interest

Threee Into One

London has always been a city of commerce and a city of food.  The City of London Corporation’s wholesale markets, Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields, have been at its heart for centuries and have adapted to the City’s changing needs for generations.  The City Corporation now has an opportunity to bring all three markets together for the first time at Dagenham in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to ensure that they can continue to serve future generations.

We welcome your comments at this important moment for the markets to ensure the proposals reflect the needs of customers and stakeholders.  Give your opinion here.

Further Background

On 25 April, a decision was taken for the City Corporation to move ahead with a proposal to consolidate the three wholesale markets, to a new site at Dagenham Dock.

Following the decision, an initial public consultation to seek the views of a wider range of stakeholders on the principle of consolidating the markets, the City Corporation’s vision and the preferred option in Dagenham will launch today and will close on Tuesday 6 August 2019. A consultation portal dedicated to the consolidation of the markets is now live at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/wholesalemarkets and stakeholders can submit a consultation response online.

In early July, The Museum of London will launch its public consultation on the latest new museum plans for West Smithfield ahead of submitting a planning application at the end of the year. The consultation will consist of two displays, one on site at London Wall and one on site in Catering Meats/Unit 307 at West Smithfield, showing the latest architectural visuals and the most recent plans for the museum.

If you are interested in finding out more about this project, you would be particularly welcome at a senior stakeholder drop-in session being held from 6.00pm to 9.00pm on 4 July in Smiths of Smithfield. The plans will be on show and it is an opportunity to meet the project and design teams.

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, General Interest, Wider City of London Interest

King’s Day Comes To UK

We were so delighted to see the Dutch Church and Dutch Centre celebrating King’s Day with a Friday, 26 April, evening event and a street market from 14:00 on Saturday, 27 April – https://www.dutchchurch.org.uk/dutch-centre-nieuws/#uk

King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Máxima

There were opportunities to have stalls and displays.  And let’s not forget that King Willem-Alexander celebrated his 52nd birthday, giving us an excuse to post a royal photo (learnt that from the Daily Mail!).

The day itself was fantastic.  1,200 people turned up.  There was a great selection of food, beer, and genever.  Children had a great time completing a series of games.  And of course now there are plans for next year – an instant City of London tradition begins.

 

 

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, Wider City of London Interest

Much Bennett Esteem (MBE)

We are delighted to announce that our distinguished Deputy, John Alfred Bennett, was awarded an MBE in the New Year‘s Honours List:

“Lately Chairman, Board of Governors, Guildhall School of Music and Drama. For services to the City of London and Education.”

We extend our sincere congratulations to him for recognition of his many years of civic work, moreover his recent work as Chief Commoner (see year in photos here).

Posted on Broad Street Ward Interest, Wider City of London Interest

Consultation – City Plan 2036 & City Transport Strategy

The City of London Corporation is consulting on two important policy documents setting out proposals for the future development of the City.

City Plan 2036

The City Corporation’s draft Local Plan, City Plan 2036, contains policies on a wide range of topics relevant to the planning and development of the City, including offices, housing, open space and greening, shops, culture and community services.

You can view the full document by visiting www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityplan2036. Comments can be submitted via the website or by writing to localplan@cityoflondon.gov.uk. The Local Plan consultation will close on 28 February 2019.

Transport Strategy

The City Corporation’s draft Transport Strategy sets out proposals for the design and management of the City’s streets over the next 25 years to ensure the Square Mile remains a great place to live, work and visit.

You can view and respond to the Transport Strategy proposals by visiting www.citystreets.london. The Transport Strategy consultation will close on 13 January 2019.