I attended ATCM‘s insightful London roundtable on the London Growth Plan and the High Street last Thursday, where the Growth Plan was presented by Valentine Quinio from the GLA. What followed was a debate led by Ojay McDonald about the centrality of innovation, culture and creativity to London’s growth – are these areas for direct support, or are they foundational prerequisites to growth across the city? The Experience Economy and Creative Industries are directly referenced in the Plan, of course, but if there is a general feeling that London’s openness and creative acceptance are central to its global profile and perception, which could be more explicitly articulated. How then should these be evidenced and articulated for buy-in across London – the GLA and boroughs?
actions to watch in the Growth Plan
Within the Growth Plan actions is a new High Streets and Places Fund, with £20m to be shared by the boroughs, and another £600k fund for specific high street projects to be announced/opened this summer. I’d love to extend my experience in planning for and evaluating Greenwich’s High Streets for All scheme as well as night time interventions in Woolwich, Camden and Hackney – get in touch if you’d like to collaborate around bids or proposals for this new fund.
Also of interest in the Growth Plan is the suggestion of a new publicly-owned “mission-driven” property agent/manager to help bring forward uses and development in difficult or vacant sites. (Note also the new High Street Rental Auctions powers which may affect this – a useful explainer on Ben Stephenson’s website!)
