Marble Arch to benefit from 2.5 million pound investment

London’s Marble Arch has created a new business improvement district that will see 2.5 million pounds invested in the area over the next five years.

The business improvement district, which will begin on April 1, and covers 42 streets across the East and West of Edgware Road, including Marble Arch and northern Park Lane, through Connaught Village and Seymour Place, and up to the Marylebone Flyover.

More than 78 percent of businesses, retailers, hotels and restaurants in the area voted in favour of creating the business improvement district, which will now embark on a five-year programme to improving the public area, boost trading conditions and introduce new visitor and business services, as well as aim to “reduce levels of anti-social behaviour”.

Initiatives include a local loyalty scheme for retailers and restaurants in the area, as well as introducing benchmarking footfall services. In addition, there will be improvements made to pedestrian routes and cycle paths, and public art installations will be encouraged around the area. There are also plans to have uniformed staff patrolling the area at night to reassure visitors and help local shops and restaurants in dealing with incidents.

Martin Ramskill, chairman of the Marble Arch business improvement district, said: “Marble Arch’s heritage and appeal internationally and locally deserves to be matched by high-quality public realm standards, place-making and business and visitor services. We want to improve the environment and experience for residents, workers and visitors, and are thrilled to see our plans so strongly supported by local businesses, Westminster City Council and our partners.”

2.5 million pounds to be instead into London’s Marble Arch area

The new business improvement district is now the eighth in Westminster, including its Oxford Street peer the New West End Company, and will work with the council, the mayor of London and Transport for London to carry its plans.

Sir Edward Lister, London’s chief of staff and deputy mayor for planning, said: “This decision will be a great boost for the Marble Arch area, brilliantly positioned between Oxford Street, Marylebone and Mayfair, and Bayswater and Hyde Park. I am sure that this Business Improvement District will enhance this critical area of West End for residents, workers and visitors and help Marble Arch to become an even stronger driver of the capital’s economy.”

The hope is that the 2.5 million pound investment scheme will help “future-proof” the area and encourage more retailers and businesses to move into the area.

Commenting on the scheme, Kate Bailey, Marks and Spencer’s Edgware Road store manager, said: “We’re delighted that the Marble Arch BID has been voted for by the local community. The plans will help local businesses provide a better environment for customers and we’re looking forward to supporting them as they progress.”

Images: Marble Arch Partnership