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http://www.standard.co.uk/news/londo...k-8741011.html
Stretch of central London to be rebranded Northbank to rival Southbank
A major stretch of central London is to be rebranded the Northbank in an attempt to create a rival to the South Bank.
280 businesses in the area north of the river from Trafalgar Square and Embankment to the Strand and Aldwych have voted for the creation of the Northbank Business Improvement District (BID).
Westminster City Council balloted businesses in the area - including luxury hotels The Savoy and Corinthia, the Queens bank Coutts and restaurant The Delaunay - and more than 80% voted in favour.
The yes vote gives the go-ahead to an £8 million four-and-a-half year plan to improve the area that will start in October.
Ruth Duston, who will run the project, said: A renewal plan for the area is long overdue with the area a lynch-pin for Londons prosperous history. Londoners and tourists can see how vibrant the South Bank has become and we believe more can be done to drive inward investment, spend and footfall to the area.
Plans include a team of street guides, new pedestrian areas, as well as an upgrade programme for Villiers Street, Embankment Place, Embankment and Temple underground stations and improvements to pedestrian access to link with Covent Garden.
There has been criticism of the Northbank brand name and Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group at Westminster council, previously told The Standard it reminded him of the stand at the old Highbury Stadium: Immediately I think of Arsenal. The Strand is a world famous name, its even on the Monopoly board. Why not build a marketing initiative on that.
But Duston said: There are many distinct locations here but we needed a name to encompass all of these iconic places. Like Midtown we wanted to find a new name to represent the whole area.
Around 45 million people pass through the area each year via Charing Cross, Embankment and Temple Underground stations. The funding will come via a levy of all occupiers in the area each business will pay 1% of their rateable value with a cap for the biggest.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/londo...k-8741011.html
Stretch of central London to be rebranded Northbank to rival Southbank
A major stretch of central London is to be rebranded the Northbank in an attempt to create a rival to the South Bank.
280 businesses in the area north of the river from Trafalgar Square and Embankment to the Strand and Aldwych have voted for the creation of the Northbank Business Improvement District (BID).
Westminster City Council balloted businesses in the area - including luxury hotels The Savoy and Corinthia, the Queens bank Coutts and restaurant The Delaunay - and more than 80% voted in favour.
The yes vote gives the go-ahead to an £8 million four-and-a-half year plan to improve the area that will start in October.
Ruth Duston, who will run the project, said: A renewal plan for the area is long overdue with the area a lynch-pin for Londons prosperous history. Londoners and tourists can see how vibrant the South Bank has become and we believe more can be done to drive inward investment, spend and footfall to the area.
Plans include a team of street guides, new pedestrian areas, as well as an upgrade programme for Villiers Street, Embankment Place, Embankment and Temple underground stations and improvements to pedestrian access to link with Covent Garden.
There has been criticism of the Northbank brand name and Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group at Westminster council, previously told The Standard it reminded him of the stand at the old Highbury Stadium: Immediately I think of Arsenal. The Strand is a world famous name, its even on the Monopoly board. Why not build a marketing initiative on that.
But Duston said: There are many distinct locations here but we needed a name to encompass all of these iconic places. Like Midtown we wanted to find a new name to represent the whole area.
Around 45 million people pass through the area each year via Charing Cross, Embankment and Temple Underground stations. The funding will come via a levy of all occupiers in the area each business will pay 1% of their rateable value with a cap for the biggest.