![Live Music [ Photo by Thibault Trillet, Pexels.com ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pexels-thibault-trillet-44912-167636.jpg?resize=1280%2C848&ssl=1)
Pubs and live music venues : Business rates relief
On 27 January 2026, the Government announced that eligible pubs and live music venues in England will receive a 15% reduction on their business rates bills for the 2026/27 financial year and the bills will be frozen in real terms in 2027/28 and 2028/29.
Guidance for local authorities in administrating the relief has been published.
It will be for individual local billing authorities to adopt a local scheme and determine in each individual case when, having regard to this guidance, to grant relief.
The guidance gives definitions of the venues that [more…]
Are London’s High Streets and Town Centres in Crisis?
What is the nature and scale of the crisis and why are some streets and centres doing better or worse than others. What can be done about it? We’ll discuss these and related issues at this Open Meeting on 26th March – please book here.
London’s town centres have had a challenging decade – changing planning policies, growing on-line sales, COVID, vacant shops and rising costs. They are in transition, but are they going in the right direction? How can we maintain their vitality? How do we make [more…]
Mayor’s licensing powers
The Government is proposing to give the Mayor of London new powers in licensing. This proposal aims to boost London’s nightlife, hospitality, culture and tourism, whilst keeping the city safe and inclusive.
Details are on the GLA website here. There is a consultation for which responses can be submitted until 27th March.
These proposed powers would be relevant to London Forum’s open meeting Are London’s High Streets and Town Centres in Crisis? on 6.30pm 26 March 2026.
Oxford Street pedestrianisation
Consultation on this subject closes on January 22nd, as here.
Neither of the two remaining diverted bus routes near to Oxford Street reach Regent Street, so we oppose the proposed curtailment of the 24-hour 94 bus service at Marble Arch. It would reduce options for travelling home after late night visits to the West End when Underground services finish.
Members can make views known to the Mayor here, including for the 94 buses to be routed via Wigmore street.
Opinion is divided on the efficacy [more…]
Business Rates relief
The 2026 Supporting Small Business Relief (SSBR) scheme will cap bill increases at £800 per year or the relevant caps within transitional relief (whichever is the greatest) for any business losing eligibility for certain reliefs, including Small Business Rate Relief and 40% Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief at the 2026 revaluation.
The Government has issued guidance on Small Business Rates Relief.
For 2026/27 to 2028/29, the Government will reimburse local authorities that use their discretionary relief powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, to grant [more…]
Public Notice Portal
Information for the public about planning, construction, transport links, roadworks and licensing changes are published in the local press. To help people access the notices, the news media sector has a Public Notice Portal.
It explains the types of notices available and a postcode can be entered to display their locations on a map. Clicking on them provides details. The portal offers customisable notifications for users who sign up.
Reforming Licensing
The government invites views and evidence here UNTIL NOON ON 6TH NOVEMBER 2025 to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system for alcohol sales. It is to build on the Licensing Taskforce recommendations and the government’s response and to support the Government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burdens by 25% by the end of this Parliament. Responses should be made online.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
![Retrofit or Ruin [ image https://www.grosvenor.com ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/retrofit.webp?fit=150%2C107&ssl=1)
Historic buildings needing upgrade
![West London Orbital - proposed [Image: TfL]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/West-London-Orbital-TfL-1.jpg?fit=136%2C150&ssl=1)
West London Orbital
![Brent CLT Social housing [ image Bell Phillips Architects ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bell-Phillips-Brent-CLT.jpg?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1)
![London Bus [Unsplash]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/jonathan-chng-uIsygO87jtM-unsplash.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1)
The rise and fall of bus passenger numbers in London
Bus passenger numbers in London reached a peak of 2.4 billion in 2014, but since then have fallen to 1.8 billion in 2025. This decline is now exercising the Mayor and GLA [more…]
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Are London’s High Streets and Town Centres in Crisis?
📆 Thu 26th March | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
What is the nature and scale of the crisis and why are some streets and centres doing better or worse than others. What can be done about it? We’ll discuss these and related issues at this Open Meeting on 26th March – please book here. ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/are-londons-high-streets-and-town-centres-in-crisis/?occurrence=2026-03-26#booking ) London’s town centres have had a challenging decade – changing planning policies, growing on-line sales, COVID, vacant shops and rising costs. They are in transition, but are they going in the right direction? How can we maintain their vitality?…
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 9th April | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)