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.
Watch our offical light switch-on for London’s tallest Christmas tree
Watch the latest video of our official light switch-on for London’s tallest Christmas tree, with global superstar Dame Joan Collins.
Improvements to Creechurch Lane Streetscape
The City of London Corporation, with support and part-funding from the Eastern City, are consulting on plans to enhance the pedestrian environment along Creechurch Lane between Leadenhall Street and Mitre Street. Full details are available here but in summary the proposed changes are as follows: A raised crossing at…
Eastern City Lights Up The Streets With Londons Tallest Christmas Tree
A massive 67 foot Christmas tree – the tallest in London – will be the latest edition to the iconic City skyline when it is unveiled next month as part of the Eastern City Business Improvement District’s Festival of Light Campaign. The Eastern City tree will be erected outside the…
Eastern City Business Improvement District Launches EC Community Fund to Support Diverse Initiatives
In a bold move towards fostering community development and addressing pressing social and environmental issues, the Eastern City Business Improvement District (ECBID) has launched the EC Community Fund with ActionFunder. The fund, worth a total amount of £40,000, aims to support a range of impactful projects led by non-profit organisations.
Making the Eastern City a cleaner place to visit
The trial of an enhanced street cleaning service is currently being delivered by the Eastern City Business Improvement District in partnership with the City of London Corporation to make the area a cleaner and more inviting place to work and visit. Data from the Corporation, an audit by Keep Britain…
Exclusive ESG Forum in City of London: Finance Leaders To Shape Responsible Growth
In a world where economic growth often comes at the cost of our planet, business leaders must strike a delicate balance between profitability and making a genuine, positive impact. The challenge? Moving beyond empty promises, and superficial PR campaigns to a place where actions speak louder, and growth is driven by ethical…
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.
OUR BOARD
Nick Carty, Chair, AIG
Peter Woods, Vice Chair, DAIWA Capital Markets Europe Limited
Paul Sewell, Metro Bank PLC
Peter Alford, St James Place
David Cooper, Wells Fargo
Carolyne King, Amtrust Management Services
Fiona Beale, Aviva
Dominic Christian, AON Insurance
Florine Le Guilloux, Axa
Jo Scott, Aspen Insurance
Mark Higgs, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Dan Scanlon, Brookfield Properties
Stewart Dawson, Vattenfall
Ruth Duston, Primera Corporation
Ruby Raw (Observer), City of London Corporation
Judith Pleasance CC (Observer), City of London Corporation
Kate Hart, Chief Executive Officer
Henry Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer
Ailsa Anderson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Claire Dumontier-Marriage, BID Director
Will Dyson, Placemaking Director
William Austin, Cultural Partnerships Manager
Lucy Bowles, Executive Assistant and Office Manager
Bryn Little, Project Assistant
Tarisai Ejeta, Events Manager
Helena Forrest, Senior Marketing Manager
Publications
22/23 Annual Report
Find out more about our approach and performance in 2022 – 2023 in our annual report
Download23/24 Billing Leaflet
Our billing leaflet outlines our delivery plan and budgets for the year
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.
DownloadSculpture in the City 13th Edition
Sculpture in the City is an annual sculpture park that uses the urban realm as a rotating gallery space. The 13th Edition of Sculpture in the City is on display from 24 July 2024 – Spring 2025, and includes 17 artworks by 15 artists: Arturo Herrera, Clare Burnett, Daniel Silver,…
Friday Sessions Sushi Samba
SAMBAROOM invites guests to experience the all-new Friday Sessions, taking place from 10:30 PM to 3 AM. This vibrant event is set to kickstart the weekend with an electrifying atmosphere where music and entertainment take center stage. Attendees can look forward to a night filled with dynamic DJ sets, live…
Visit the Eastern City Tree – London’s tallest Christmas tree
Visit London’s tallest Christmas tree! A massive 67 foot Christmas tree – the tallest in London – will be the latest edition to the iconic City skyline. The Eastern City tree will be erected at One Bishopsgate Plaza, outside the Pan Pacific London hotel. The tree, made of 65,000 LED…
City Light Illuminations
Hive Curates and Eastern City BID are excited to announce the start of a series of City Light Illuminations, a key highlight of the ongoing Festival of Light winter programme. This initiative continues by shining a spotlight on city landmarks, featuring 55 Old Broad Street. City Light Illuminations will feature…
Impulse
Impulse We are delighted to reveal IMPULSE – an interactive sound and light playground made up of six see-saws that respond to the riders’ movements at St Helen’s Square. A City of London premier, Impulse is an invitation to play, laugh and transform when put into motion by people, augmented…
Bystander Intervention Training
An enhanced training session designed to upskill all delegates on how to be an active bystander when they see forms of harassment take place, safely and without putting their own safety at risk. Held online via Zoom at lunchtime. Tuesday 3rd December 12:00-12:30 Zoom link here Following a growing…