London Business Improvement District (BID) Better Bankside has launched its ‘SAY YES TO BETTER,’ manifesto, outlining plans to deliver an economically stronger, greener and happier Bankside over the next five years.

As a not-for-profit company, funded by local businesses, a yes vote will secure £14million of investment into the area from 2025-30. The programme of projects and services delivered by Better Bankside is co-designed in partnership with its 1,000 member businesses (including world famous institutions such as Tate Modern, Borough Market and Shakespeare’s Globe). Established as part of a pilot in 2005, Better Bankside is one of the UK’s first BIDs, now there are over 300 across the country, proven to be a successful model of urban governance.

The Better Bankside ballot comes at a crossroads for this lively, hugely creative and diverse London area (known as ‘London’s Other Side,’) which after 20 years of evolution, is about to embark on a further period of growth. With 20 major developments in the pipeline and a significant increase in its workforce predicted by 2030, the BID and its focus on delivery through local partnerships and relationships, will be critical for maintaining and preserving Bankside’s treasured cultural identity and unique streetscape.

Continuing to build a resilient and inclusive local economy, prioritising green initiatives and investing in the wellbeing of Banksiders are the key pillars of Better Bankside’s manifesto (detail provided below and on attached, full manifesto.) These priorities build on the success of the BID’s last five years, whose dynamic and collaborative approach has created blueprint projects so effective they have been rolled out across other UK areas (Better Bankside’s CCTV mapping system inspired the Metropolitan Police’s London MetMaps launch and their Southwark Climate Collective decarbonisation programme has created a sustainability model for other city districts).

Nicole Gordon, CEO of Better Bankside said; “We’re so proud of everything we’ve achieved here together since 2005. And we’re geared up to deliver our best ever programme in 2025-30. We are in a unique position to deliver agile solutions for our 1,000 member businesses. They are completely connected to our BID and help shape our decision-making. This feeds into the improvement and energy of Bankside through a shared sense of pride and participation. A YES vote on the 29 November will lock-in a £14million investment for our neighbourhood, allowing us to work together in creating a stronger, greener and happier Bankside.”

Of Better Bankside’s five-year proposals, The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said; “The important work that Nicole and the team do at Better Bankside is helping to drive London’s economic growth. Transport for London, London Fire Brigade and the Greater London Authority have offices based in Bankside and our staff are benefiting from the improvements, including bike hubs, green spaces and recycling efforts in this vibrant part of our city.

“Better Bankside is a trusted partner in the development of a London-wide business climate action initiative. By helping to reduce carbon emissions, it’s supporting London to achieve our net-zero goals as we work to build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”

The Business Improvement District (BID) model is more important than ever. They are uniquely placed to broker and develop a new form of best practice for urban areas. By being more embedded in their local communities, BIDs are better attuned to their needs and can be more responsive in bringing about local improvements.

Better Bankside was one of the UK’s first ever Business Improvement Districts and was one of five trial areas, inspired by the model in the US, which launched in the early 2000s. This devolved form of governance was a good fit for Bankside – a lively London area south of the river with a huge cultural identity and home to an array of diverse sub-groups interested in different issues. Since its introduction, Better Bankside has been a pioneer of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) action, equality and inclusion and has delivered a bold, co-creative and flexible approach to its governance and operations. Better Bankside’s ballot will open on 28 October and close on 28 November. The result will be announced on Friday 29 November. Organisations based within the Better Bankside area are eligible to vote.

Better Bankside’s Manifesto – Promises and Plans for the next 5 years

1. Say YES to STRONGER – attracting talent and sustained Bankside investment

The manifesto proposes a range of initiatives to continue to strengthen Bankside’s investability and its attractiveness to a growing workforce. These include extending services that support a safe, secure and vibrant neighbourhood. Local businesses will be future-proofed through security and resilience training and by continued access to vital insights into visitor behaviour and needs, while also enjoying cost-saving services such as free recycling and employee training.

Better Bankside will continue its focus on high standards of cleanliness (independent inspections consistently rate it at around 95 percent,) improve green and open spaces, and increase public art installations to further boost the area’s appeal and investment potential.

Additionally, there will be a focus on expanding the popular, local business discount scheme, the Buzz card, with an ambition for the card to be accessible on the smartphone of everyone working in Bankside.

2. Say YES to a stronger LOCAL NETWORK

“Our power is in our network.” The manifesto emphasises the strength of Bankside’s extensive network of 1,000 diverse businesses and pledges to create more opportunities for networking and professional connections. The BID plans to enhance the local workforce through accredited training programmes and a new Bankside debate series focused on emerging trends and technologies (such as AI.)

For recruitment support, the manifesto pledges to continue linking businesses to the best new talent through its Bankside Futures programme, which fosters links between local business and nearby schools and colleges. It will also continue to support responsible business practice, helping businesses make a meaningful difference through offering resources to support ESG goals and additional tools to measure social impact.

Additionally, the manifesto commits to further communicate and celebrate Bankside’s 1,000-year old cultural heritage by delivering events such as the Frost Fair and the London Design Festival, celebrating the neighbourhood as ‘London’s Other Side.’

3. Say YES to GREENER – delivering projects and services to save carbon, reduce waste, improve air quality and boost biodiversity

Over the last five years, climate action has been central to Better Bankside’s area focus. Its Southwark Climate Collective programme was a key example, securing over £1million to help 200 Southwark businesses decarbonise operations, creating a blueprint for other city districts. This green focus will be built on over the next five years through resources, delivered collaboratively with local partners, to enhance sustainability and climate resilience in Bankside. Businesses will be able to take advantage of community-wide free mixed-use recycling, which will in turn lead to the reduction of waste truck traffic and the improvement of air quality.

Plans include future-proofing support for the local SME community, offering resources such as carbon literacy training and guidance on sustainability reporting to secure larger contracts.

Efforts to continue the improvement of air quality will include Better Bankside’s last-mile green logistics centre which swaps local deliveries from vehicles to bikes.

Sustainable travel will be promoted through a secure cycle hub and free bike hire schemes. The manifesto also pledges to work with businesses in the co-designing of a Better Bankside Circular Economy, along with boosting biodiversity through further award-winning green spaces and climate-resilient urban gardening projects.

4. Say YES to HAPPIER – creating opportunities for all sectors of the Bankside community to play an active role in co-creating a ‘feelgood’ place

The manifesto pledges to continue Better Bankside’s commitment to bring together its diverse business and residential community, growing Bankside’s social capital and fostering the area’s unique sense of belonging.

Over the next 5-years, Better Bankside promises to enhance the Bankside community by focusing on staff retention, inclusion networks, creating vibrant community spaces and streetscapes, and through building partnerships that give back.

To retain staff, the BID will continue to offer local businesses a comprehensive wellbeing and perks package for staff, and year-round social and networking events. Bankside Inclusion Networks will provide safe, nurturing spaces for diverse groups, such as women (including the 100-member strong Better Bankside’s Women’s Network,) LGBTQ+, and carers, promoting skills development and wellbeing.

Community engagement will be supported using spaces like Arch23, which host activities and events, and act as an invaluable local resource.

There will also be new projects (including one with a Bankside cultural institution) to build on the 40 murals and pieces of public art installed over the past 5-years. Volunteering and community involvement will also be supported through the fostering of partnerships with local charities and groups.