Tackling high street decline
High streets that have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities are set to face a crackdown under new powers announced by the Prime Minister.
Details of the new powers are here.
There will be a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from next year to help them – fully funded by reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution.
![BID's in London [image: LSE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/BIDs.png?resize=1024%2C738&ssl=1)
What are BIDs doing for Town Centres in Central and Outer London?
Earlier this year, London Forum organised a very interesting open meeting with members about the state of London’s High Streets and the night-time economy. One of the presenters was from a BID (Business Improvement District), highlighting their work in improving business areas in central London. That raised a question, what are BIDs doing in outer London?
Once a BID has been voted in by local businesses it is funded by a supplement to the business rates paid in the area. Of the 76 BIDs [more…]
Noise Action Week 11th to 15th May 2026
Excessive noise is linked to serious health impacts including hearing loss, stress, sleep disturbance, heart disease, strokes and dementia, affecting millions of people nationwide.
The NoiseActionWeek website invites people to join their 2026 campaign focusing on tackling neighbourhood noise.
The UK Noise Association website has helpful links, tips, case notes, briefings and noise monitoring apps.
See the latest edition of The Bottom Rung for details on noise complaints and criticism of the DfT Strategy for Integrated Transport.
Are London’s High Streets and Town Centres in Crisis? Meeting report
We held a lively meeting last week, chaired by Michael Bach (pictured), examining the many issues around high streets and the night time economy. We had four expert speakers, and a significant number of audience questions.
For the first time, we video-recorded the event. The video and audio recordings are posted on the event page. We used AI to generate a summary, plus an even shorter summary here. If you’d like to discover how we did this, please book for our AI talk at the end of [more…]
![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 discussed these and related issues at this Open Meeting on 26th March.
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 them more attractive and a [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.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
![Greenwich Park, London [Photo: Pexels]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Greenwich-Park-London-Pexels.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1)
Parks and Climate Change
The Heritage Fund worked with Historic England to better understand how the climate crisis is affecting the UK’s natural heritage ...
Ongoing District Line service problems
East Putney, Southfields, Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon stations together see over 29 million entries and exits a year but there ...
Tackling high street decline
High streets that have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that ...
Garden Annexe, Caravan, or Mobile Home?
Tim Catchpole of the Mortlake and East Sheen Society writes…
Our Society has had a recent experience which we would like to share with other London Forum members who may [more…]
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Will the London Plan deliver the housing and places London needs?
📆 Mon 14th September | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
A last chance to shape the London Plan — join us next Monday. The draft London Plan proposes that 50% of all new homes be affordable. With competition for homes, industrial and other uses, some housing will be built in what is now Green Belt land. This is an important subject covering proposals for housing development in London for the next 20 years. Book now ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/will-the-london-plan-deliver-the-housing-and-places-london-needs/#booking ) for this Open Meeting on Monday 14th September. We’ve invited the London Plan team to talk about: The amount of housing required to meet…
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 8th October | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)