Our Work
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.
Read more about our work
FIND OUT MOREThe Eastern City BID delivers programmes and projects that enhance the everyday experience of the Eastern City while supporting its role as a globally competitive business district.
Join the Eastern City Next Gen Steering Group
Register your interest to become part of the new Next Generation Steering Group, helping to develop the Eastern City – a unique part of the City of London. Our role as Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID) is to enhance the everyday experience of those who work in this unique…
Free Domestic Abuse Training Sessions this May
Free domestic abuse training sessions available via DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) throughout May 2026. Date: 1/5/26 Training: Assessing Domestic Abuse Risks & Hackney MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) Time: 11-1pm Flyer: Assessing Domestic Abuse Risks and MARAC Google meet link:…
Eastern City BID delivers cultural landmarks for local community
This spring, the Eastern City BID showcased its ambition to continue building a dynamic and engaging community by unveiling Hypha x Eastern City Studios — a new cultural hub at 130 Fenchurch Street, whilst also launching its exclusive INSIDERS programme with a headline In Conversation event featuring Louis Theroux, hosted…
CREATING SPACE FOR CULTURE IN THE EASTERN CITY
The Eastern City BID is delighted to announce the opening of Hypha x Eastern City Studios, a new gallery and events space at 130 Fenchurch Street. This previously empty retail unit has been transformed through a partnership with Aviva Investors and CO-RE, alongside specialist charitable partner Hypha Studios. The space…
Toast the City 2026: Nominations Now Open!
Toast the City Awards are back for a second year—bigger, bolder and even more ambitious. Eastern City BID is delighted to stand alongside the other City BIDs in supporting this year’s awards, once again celebrating the restaurants, bars, green spaces and cultural gems that make the Eastern City and the…
City of London Police Cluster Panel Meetings
As part of the City of London Police’s commitment to open engagement and collaboration with our communities, our next round of Cluster Panels is due to take place across April and May 2026 These meetings are an opportunity for the local community to sit down with us to share their…
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
Catherine Falconer, Accenture
Ruth Duston, Primera Corporation
Tim Hadingham (Observer), City of London 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
26/27 Billing Leaflet
Our billing leaflet outlines our delivery plan and budgets for the year
Download24/25 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
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…
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…
Start an Office Choir with Music in Offices
It’s as easy as Do Re Mi to set up an office choir with our partners at Music in Offices. Join the chorus of offices who are setting up workplace choirs across the Eastern City. By singing together in a choir at work, people build confidence, benefit from improved mental…
Glasshouse Stories Exhibition
Created by Brighton-based artist Claudia Fontes, the installation explores the hidden lives of plants and the complex relationships between nature, history and migration. The exhibition is inspired by the recent relocation of plants from Kew Gardens’ historic Palm House to a new sustainable home – a moment of transition that…
Library of Things Comes to the Barbican Library Easter 2026
Fed up of buying stuff you don’t use often? The Library of Things is a place where you can access useful items you don’t need to use often, from carpet cleaners to drills to projectors. Join a growing community of people renting items to save money, learn new skills like repair…
Exhibition: Winner of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award 2026
Darcey Fleming presents (Extra)ordinary, her first solo exhibition and a newly commissioned installation for the reception at 99 Bishopsgate. Across the walls of 99 Bishopsgate, Fleming’s weavings cascade in a series of vibrant sculptural works. Each piece is a wall-hung weave made from discarded baling twine – a humble agricultural…
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.