Joining Forces To Advocate For The Quarter

Our latest focus of our advocacy work spotlights the support needed by the cultural and hospitality sector here in central London. We are co-signatories on a letter sent to Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, last week warning of the continued threat to London’s cultural and hospitality sector. The letter called for immediate support for the West End, which in normal times contributes to a tourist spend of £7.3 billion a year in the capital. Support needs include an extension of the VAT cut for arts, cultural and hospitality businesses and an extension of business rates relief until at least March 2022 to relieve struggling businesses in central London. You can read more in the Financial Times, which has covered the letter. Other co-signatories include the Quarter’s Madame Tussauds alongside our neighbouring BIDs: Heart of London Business Alliance, Marble Arch BID, PaddingtonNOW BID and New West End Company.

We are also co-signatories on a letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP specifically calling for the extension of business rates relief for a further 12 months for central London. While we welcome the support that Government has provided to businesses to date, confirmation on further business rates relief will allow London’s businesses to effectively plan for the 2021/22 financial year and will drive a return to growth in London and across the UK.

Businesses in central London face much higher costs in terms of rents, rates and wages compared to other areas of the country, but currently receive no extra support. In the lead up to the Budget on 3 March, and beyond, we will continue to make sure the businesses of the Quarter and of Marylebone are heard alongside London’s other West End locations. You can read more about our advocacy work during the coronavirus pandemic here.