We are delighted to be publishing ‘People Wanted: Whitehall’ and to be sharing this
vision for the Whitehall area; building on the strategy ‘People Wanted’ for neighbouring
Victoria.

Nine public spaces across Whitehall are under development proposals, including the construction of a Whitehall River Walk connecting St James’ Park and the Thames, and the development of Parliament Square and Bridge Street to bring wider pavements and a new tube exit.

The proposals – published by the Whitehall Business Improvement District, within the London Heritage Quarter spanning Victoria, Victoria Westminster, Whitehall and Northbank – are central to driving investment in this part of London, enhancing space for public use and creating a sustainable plan for this historic location.

Proposals for the area include:

1. Unveiling the Whitehall River Walk – the development of a new riverfront attraction and connection between St James’ Park and the Thames, establishing a more pedestrianised riverbank

2. A new arrival experience to Parliament Square and Bridge Street – widening the width of pavements and reducing the width of roads at Bridge Street. A new central tube entrance is included in the proposals, in favour of wider public footpaths, scramble crossings and more greenery. Improving safety in the area and a positive arrival experience to Whitehall from Westminster Station

3. Revealing the ‘Queen’s Walk’ – strengthening links between Buckingham Palace to the Thames, where visitors can use Augmented Reality and interactive maps to navigate the area and learn about the history of the area

4. Enhancing the ‘King’s Walk’ – King Charles Street will be enhanced and pedestrianised to bring better connectivity between Whitehall and St James’s Park, reflecting the historic route of the former River Tyburn. The street will be enhanced by sensitive lighting and rewilding

5. Introducing the most sustainable court in Westminster – the regeneration of Craig’s Court bringing rewilding and greening to the area as well as infrastructure enhancement for mixed use space. Rewilding will be underpinned by new sustainable drainage solutions

6. An Augmented Reality hidden gems trail – celebrating the hidden history of Westminster, allowing visitors to use AR to explore lesser-known landmarks including Winston Churchill’s balcony, Queen Mary’s Steps and Horse Guards’ Clock Tower

7. Introduction of the Whitehall Palace Footprint –strengthening connections between St James’s Park and the Thames, revealing the hidden history of Whitehall

Ruth Duston, OBE, OC, Chief Executive of London Heritage Quarter which encompasses the Whitehall BID said: “London remains a world-class destination and is unmatched in its vibrant culture and atmosphere. But we must continue to invest in our most recognisable assets if we are to remain competitive on a global stage.

“These proposals are designed to make Whitehall a safer, cleaner and more pleasant place to visit and to work. Our research shows that enjoying public spaces in the capital is increasingly important to Londoners and tourists alike, and it’s projects like these that help to ensure people can enjoy the city at its best.”

Dowload below:

1 -31 August

Location: Parliament Square and Whitehall

Hosted by History Speak and part of Westminster City Council’s Inside Out programme.

How do women exercise power in public spaces? This walking tour will explore the legacies of women who defended and challenged the status quo to create the world we live in today.

Find out more

May 6 – September 1

The London Heritage Quarter trail begins with three sculptures of a Squirrel, Hare and Badger, found in Christchurch, Lower Grosvenor and Whitehall Gardens. The sculptures have been made from sustainable materials to reflect The King’s longstanding and deep environmental concern. The trail welcomed three additional sculptures in early June and is in place over the summer so that visitors can explore the different animals throughout the Northbank, Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall areas. With this in mind, we have created a map trail to encourage visitors to explore London Heritage Quarter and the royal processional route on foot and look out for some of the amazing eateries whilst you roam about the area.

Nature Trail Locations:

• Badger – Lower Grosvenor Gardens
• Hare – Christchurch Gardens
• Squirrell – Whitehall Gardens
• Swan – Victoria Tower Gardens
• Owl – Victoria Embankment Gardens  
• Otter – Strand Aldwych  

About the Artist:

Cherry works and lives in Manchester, she started basket making in 1996. From the start, she was hooked by the direct nature of working some sticks with only her hands into an object which could be functional and aesthetically pleasing. She found that there is a natural human instinct to make things from raw materials. Cherry uses natural materials – primarily willow, bark and rush – to make sculpture and basketry. Her work takes her across the Northwest, and she undertakes commissions like the one you see here and also delivers workshops in both willow basket making and sculptures. She enjoys the diversity that her work allows her, and all of it is connected by a love of weaving.

For the Sustainable Willow:

Willow is a sustainable material. It is coppiced which is an ancient and traditional method for managing woodland that is good for nature and the environment. These beautiful sculptures have been made by hand and each one is bespoke, they have been hired which means they can be taken to different locations and displayed again or repurposed to minimise waste. The plinths are made from repurposed scaffolding beams which can be reused we have ensured a high focus on sustainability in the creation of the installations.  

Download Map Here  

Royal Processional Route

Buckingham Palace – Architects: John Nash, William Winde, Aston Webb, Edward Blore, Thomas Cubitt – Neoclassical Architecture

Admiralty Arch – Architect: Aston Webb – Neoclassical Architecture, Edwardian Architecture

Horseguards Parade – Architects: William Kent, John Vardy – Palladian Architecture

10 Downing Street – Architects: William Kent, Quinlan Terry, Raymond Erith, Kenton Couse – Georgian Architecture

Big Ben – Architects: Augustus Pugin, Charles Barry – Gothic Revival architecture

Palace of Westminster (otherwise known as the Houses of Parliament) – Architects: Charles Barry, Augustus Pugin, Donald Insall – Gothic Revival architecture

Enter our Social Media Competition 

Whilst venturing around the London Heritage Quarter tag us in your Nature Trail pictures for a chance to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre courtesy of Wicked London. To ensure your entry in valid, follow @TheNorthbankBID and @VictoriaBID on Instagram and use the following hashtag for each prize. T&C’s apply. The competition closes 6th August 2023. #KingOfNature 

Multi-million pound investment plans secured with ballot result announced today

Local businesses in the Whitehall BID have voted overwhelmingly in favour of renewing the Whitehall  Business Improvement District (BID) for a second consecutive term.

Of those businesses that voted, 81% voted ‘yes’ at the ballot (93% by rateable value), setting a strong mandate for the BID to continue to deliver its ambitious strategic and operational improvements of the area.

The ballot result endorses the key achievements of the BID over the past 2 years, after its establishment in 2021, and increases support for an aligned partnership approach across this key part of London.  

The BID team, led by specialist regeneration expert Ruth Duston, OBE, OC, will work with the local authority and other key stakeholders to deliver the Whitehall BID 2023-2028 vision that was published in advance of the ballot being held.

The BID’s work will continue to enhance the area’s important position as a key destination in London; with a variety of historic and cultural assets. Approximately £3.1 million will be invested into the area over the BID’s second term, bringing the BID’s lifetime investment to over £3.7 million.

Whitehall is estimated to support 26,500 workers, generates £1.93 billion in GVA and contributes £22million in business rates to the Exchequer every year.  

The Whitehall BID will be investing in a range of strategic and operational projects and will focus on four aims:

1. Create a more environmentally sustainable business district and tackle climate change in line with the City of Westminster’s ambition for a net zero borough by 2040.
2. Drive the continued post-pandemic recovery by supporting the return of office occupiers to the workplace, reviving international tourism, addressing recruitment challenges in the hospitality sector and helping the local economy adapt to new consumer profiles and behaviour.
3. Maintain our role as an important bridge between the private and public sector, enabling partnerships that drive positive change not only in the BID area but also the wider community.
4. Use the collective strength of ‘London HQ’ – a collaboration with neighbouring south Westminster BIDs – to lobby for continued local and central government investment in the Whitehall footprint, keeping London at the forefront of our economy.

Ruth Duston OBE OC, Chief Executive of the Whitehall BID said:

“We are incredibly grateful to all those who took part in the ballot process, from our initial consultation in summer 2022 right the way through to the vote itself. We look forward to a second term of delivering services in support of our members and in particular we welcome those businesses in the expanded BID footprint around Millbank and Smith Square. Our on-street and destination marketing teams will continue to create an exemplary experience for visitors and workers alike, and we’ve already begun to develop a programme of public realm improvements that will be implemented over the coming term. At the heart of achieving all this will be a commitment to building a responsible business district that supports the wider Westminster community and prioritises environmental sustainability.”

ENDS

About the Whitehall BID:

The Whitehall Business Improvement District (BID) was established in February 2021 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The BID was formed after an overwhelming 95% of levy paying businesses voted ‘yes’ at the ballot, firmly endorsing the creation of a new BID in Whitehall to provide the local business community with a strong voice to drive change, innovation and stimulate additional investment into the area. The establishment of London’s 67th Business Improvement District set a strong mandate to deliver ambitious improvements in the area.

The area is a key tourist destination which offers a variety of historic and cultural assets. The BID aims to ensure Whitehall remains a world-renowned business and visitor destination, through catalysing the revitalisation of the area, enhancing its unrivalled status in London, and developing the experience of working, living, doing business and visiting the area.

The BID is governed by a voluntary board of business levy payers representing all sectors in the area. Observers also attend to represent public sector service providers and local charities. The board leads and guides the work of the BID and is supported by the executive team which implements, delivers and measures mandated programmes and projects.

whitehallbid.co.uk

Download our BID Proposal here.