Our Ambition
Our Ambition
We are the Eastern City BID, the Business Improvement District working to promote and enhance a unique part of the City of London, known as the Eastern City.
In February 2022, the Eastern City business community voted to establish a formal Business Improvement District (BID) in the area, after the success of its predecessor – the EC Partnership.
Business Partnerships and Business Improvement Districts give a voice to business communities – championing local priorities and ensuring the right people are at the decision table. Businesses understand that together they can be stronger; lobbying on big, strategic issues that impact on their commercial performance and ability to grow. This is not a case of the private sector plugging public sector funding gaps, but genuine collaboration and collective action.
A BID operates in 5-year terms. Through mandatory business levies and voluntary contributions, the BID will raise over £20 million during its first term, which will fund a range of strategic and operational projects anchored by the ESG agenda.
The BID’s programme will focus on:
A Sustainable District
Our commitment to supporting the City of London Corporation’s strategy for achieving net zero by 2040. This covers everything from major public realm enhancements that seek to reduce vehicle congestion, improve air quality and increase the quantum of green space, to exploring area-wide renewable energy networks, lobbying for continued investment in our public transport system and providing businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to initiate their own positive change.
An Evolving District
Working patterns across the City have undoubtedly changed and in order for the commercial ecosystem to thrive we need to reach new audiences and diversify what this part of the capital has to offer. Working with key stakeholders we’ll be delivering a significant programme of cultural events and installations to enliven our public spaces and empty properties.
Our Community
Enhancing the experience of the Eastern City for our businesses, their staff and customers. This involves promoting our diverse retail, leisure and hospitality occupiers, providing additional street cleaning, supporting local charities/community initiatives, organising wellbeing events for staff and delivering a variety of projects around safety, crime reduction and resilience.
Promoting the Eastern City
This part of the Square Mile is home to over 80,000 jobs with economic output in excess of £11 billion per year – it’s recognised globally as a commercial powerhouse. To bolster this reputation, the BID works to position the area as a global pioneer, setting the blueprint for what’s needed in a world-leading central business district.
Get involved in our Social Responsibility Programme
Social ResponsibilityAt Eastern City BID, we’re committed to building a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable urban community. From supporting homelessness charity Providence Row with a £100K partnership, to funding grassroots projects through our Community Fund, we’re proud to drive real impact. From Free online learning, RNLI fundraising, and backing The Lord Mayor’s Appeal are just some of the ways we’re helping shape a more connected City. Get involved, make a difference.
Supporting Providence Row’s Winter Activity
Providence Row x Eastern City BID Winter Activity Round-Up (November–December 2025) As winter takes grip, the need across the Square Mile and neighbouring boroughs continues to rise. Recent data shows that nearly 500 people were recorded sleeping rough across the City of London and Tower Hamlets, with increasing levels of…
Eastern City Community Fund 2026
We’re pleased to announce our new Eastern City Community Fund 2026. Working with ActionFunder for the fourth year, £40,000 funding is available for non-profits in the City of London and Tower Hamlets who are working on or aiming to support the local community. Grants of up to £5,000 will be…
EASTERN CITY’S CYCLE MEDICS SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS SECURITY AWARDS
The City of London Cycle Medics initiative, funded by the Eastern City Business Improvement, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Outstanding Security Performance Awards. The scheme, which began in May 2025, involves St John Ambulance cycle response medics being deployed alongside the City of London Police who together patrol the…
The Power of Different
We are proud to support The Power of Different, a pioneering 2025 art initiative exploring the experiences of neurodivergent individuals and those living with long-term health conditions, through the mediums of dance and storytelling. This ground-breaking project unites young people and adults with lived experience, acclaimed artists and leading scientists…
Eastern City Festive Pick & Mix Cart
Come visit our winter pop-up stops in the Eastern City that we’re bringing to spread some festive cheer! Our sweet pick & mix cart will make its way around the footprint on a decorated tricycle, stopping at key locations to hand out free seasonal treats. To enhance the experience, a…
Help shape the identity of the Eastern City — and you could win a luxury experience
The Eastern City BID is launching a short, anonymous survey inviting everyone who works in the district to share their views on what the area means, how it’s experienced, and what could be improved. Responses will play a key role in shaping the future of this vibrant part of the…
Our BID footprint
You can download our BID map here.
The streets/part streets covered by the Eastern City BID footprint:
| Abchurch Lane | Adams Court | Aldermans Walk |
| Arthur Street | Barbon Alley | Beehive Passage |
| Bell Inn Yard | Bengal Court | Bevis Mark (part) |
| Billiter Street | Birchin Lane | Bishopsgate (part) |
| Bishopgate Churchyard | Browns Building | Bulls Head Passage |
| Bury Street | Byward Street | Cannon Street (part) |
| Camomile Street | Cavendish Court | Change Alley |
| Clements Lane | Clerks Place | Copper’s Row |
| Corbet Court | Creechurch Lane | Crutched Friars |
| Cullum Street | Cutler Street | Devonshire Row |
| Devonshire Square | Dunster Court | Eastcheap |
| Fenchurch Avenue | Fenchurch Buildings | Fenchurch Place |
| Fenchurch Street (part) | Fen Court | Finch Lane |
| Fish Street Hill | French Ordinary Court | George Yard |
| Goring Street | Gracechurch Street | Great St. Helen’s |
| Great Tower Street | Hart Street | Hogarth Court |
| Houndsditch | King William Street (part) | Leadenhall Place |
| Leadenhall Street | Lime Street | Lime Street Passage |
| Liverpool Street | Lloyds Avenue (Part) | Lombard Court |
| Lombard Street (part) | London Street | Lower Thames Street |
| Mark Lane | Martin Lane | Mincing Lane (part) |
| Monument Street | Muscovy Street | New London Street |
| Newmans Court | Nicholas Lane | Nicholas Passage |
| Old Broad Street | Outwich Street | Pepys Street |
| Rood Lane | Royal Exchange Avenue | Savage Gardens (part) |
| Seething Lane (part) | Sherborne Lane | Ship Tavern Passage |
| Star Alley | St Benet’s Place | St Helen’s Place |
| St Mary Axe | St Michael’s Alley | St Swithins Lane (part) |
| Swan Lane | Talbot Court | Threadneedle Street |
| Trinity Square | Undershaft | Upper Thames Street |
| Whittington Avenue | Wormwood Street (part) |
OUR BOARD
Nick Carty, Chair, AIG
Peter Woods, Vice Chair, DAIWA Capital Markets Europe Limited
Paul Sewell, Vice Chair, Cynergy Bank
David Cooper, Wells Fargo
Dominic Christian, AON Insurance
Florine Le Guilloux, AXA XL
Jo Scott, Aspen Insurance
Dan Scanlon, Brookfield Properties
Terry Blacker, Lloyd’s of London
Ruth Duston, Primera Corporation
Ruby Raw (Observer), City of London Corporation
Matthew Waters (Ward Member Observer), City of London Corporation
Kate Hart, Chief Executive Officer
Henry Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer
Ailsa Anderson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Will Dyson, Placemaking Director
William Austin, Cultural Partnerships Manager (Consultant)
Bryn Little, Assistant Project Manager
Tarisai Ejeta, Events & Experience Manager
Helena Forrest, Senior Marketing Manager
Rebecca Crofton, Placemaking Programme Manager
Holly Hallett, Team Assistant
Meg Bailey, Office Manager & Team Assistant
Lucy Bowles, Executive Assistant and Office Manager (Currently on maternity leave)
Publications
24/25 Annual Report
Find out more about our approach and performance in 2024 – 2025 in our annual report.
Download25/26 Billing Leaflet
Our billing leaflet outlines our delivery plan and budgets for the year
Download25/26 Delivery Plan
Read more about how we intend to deliver our services and strategy in 25/26
Download24/25 Delivery Plan
Read more about how we intend to deliver our services and strategy in 2024 – 2025
Download23/24 Annual Report
Find out more about our approach and performance in 2023 – 2024 in our annual report
DownloadFreight, Servicing and Deliveries (FSD) Consolidation Mapping
Find out more about the Eastern City BIDs Freight, Servicing and Deliveries Consolidation Mapping by Polaris
DownloadBusiness Plan 2022-2027
Read our Business Plan 2022-2027 and find out more about the Eastern City BID’s work over the 5-year term.
DownloadBroadworks Impact Review
Eastern City BID is proud to publish the Broadworks Impact Review, a landmark study evidencing the social, cultural and economic value generated by creative activation in the Square Mile.
Download
Glassed in Dreams at 100 Bishopsgate
Glassed in Dreams, a new site-specific installation presented by Brookfield Properties and The Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA) reflecting their shared commitment to fostering support for and celebrating female creative talent. The commission has been made following a highly-contested open call for female artists and curators to respond…
Sculpture in the City 14th Edition
Sculpture in the City 14th Edition: an Outdoor Gallery in the Heart of London’s Square Mile Step into the City of London like never before as Sculpture in the City returns for its 14th edition – transforming the urban landscape into a dynamic, open-air gallery of contemporary art. From iconic…
SET Ceramics Courses in 2026
SET is a contemporary arts organisation and registered charity that transforms vacant buildings across London into spaces for eclectic, experimental culture, collective making, and community. Founded by three artists in 2016, SET has grown into a series of city-wide centres, shaped and sustained by the communities who inhabit them. Everyone…
Wake Up The City – Creative Workshops with SoLo Craft Fair & Eastern City BID
SoLo Craft Fair is a South London–based organisation run by makers, for makers that organise vibrant craft markets across South & The City of London and collaborate with events such as Leadenhall, Sky Garden and Between the Bridges. These free workshops are part of the Wake Up the City series,…
Visit Savage Garden this January
Perched high above the City of London, Savage Garden is the kind of rooftop bar that doesn’t just offer views — it delivers a full experience. Sitting on the 12th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton, it’s a place where the skyline feels close enough to touch, with Tower Bridge,…
Friday Night Lights 2026
Join Us for Friday Night Lights – A Run with a View Eastern City is once again proud to sponsor Friday Night Lights, a run club that brings together the local community for an energising evening of movement, music, and stunning city views. This is a fantastic way to stay…
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What is a BID?
BIDs are established via a ballot of eligible businesses and if successful a small levy is charged and the money raised is then invested into local projects and programmes developed through collaboration with the business community. There are now more than 60 BIDs across London, and are five in the City: the Cheapside Business Alliance, Aldgate Connect BID, Fleet Street Quarter and Culture Mile BID.
The Eastern City BID is one of the biggest BIDs in the UK, able to have a transformational impact in the area and be a powerful force for good in the Square Mile.