• Culture Mile index
• Destination City index

David Wilcox david@socialreporter.com

Culture Mile: what is it, where is significant, and who is accountable?
Issues that may be raised at the community event on July 18 2024. Posted July 7 2024

New vision for City’s Culture Mile raises issues of accountability
The public realm study to be presented at a community event on July 18 raises again issues of engagement and accountability: see earlier post. July 2024.

Culture Mile BID stages first community event
An event on July 18 will hear about the BID awards programme, public realm study and community forum. July 2024.

Another question about Destination City – and BIDs
Planning to ask at a City Question Time how residents can find out more about Destination City – and in particular what Business Improvement Districts are doing. I’m suggesting that we need a guide, forum and information hub. December 14 2023.

New study to design streets and spaces in Culture Mile raises issues of resident engagement
The Culture Mile Business Improvement District is carrying out a new Public Realm Study for the north west of the City of London including Barbican, Golden Lane Estate and Smithfield. I think it raises some issues of accountability and engagement. November 2023.

Why we need a Guide to Culture Mile and Destination City
Plans to engage residents in Destination City highlight the need for accessible information about the Corporation’s flagship programme, and a main area for cultural development. I suggest we need a Guide to what’s happening and what’s planned, with councillors taking a lead in its development. November 2023.

Destination City: good for visitors … what about residents too?
Discussion at Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee,including Culture Mile branding on street furniture, and the new Business Improvement District. I wrote: “I think that the Culture Mile BID is the ideal test bed for exploring what Destination City could mean for residents, businesses, and visitors”. July 2023.

£60,000 community fund launched for groups in City’s Culture Mile
Grants of up to £5000 are available to community groups, charities and social enterprises in the north west of the City of London. The Culture Mile Business Improvement District has launched the Community Fund through ActionFunder, with a commitment of £60,000. July 2023

Business Improvement District approved for City’s main residential district: here’s some issues
As expected, businesses in the north west of the City of London have voted to establish a Business Improvement District, and will pay a levy that is expected to generate £9 million over the next five years. February 2023.

City Corporation stands down its Culture Mile team and offers public realm designs to business
The City Corporation is ending funding for its Culture Mile project in the north west of the Square Mile, and offering some branding to a proposed Business Improvement District. January 2023

Can Destination City also help create a Liveable City?
The City's programme is good news for tourists and businesses – but how can residents ensure that these plans also offer them a Liveable City without too much unwelcome disturbance? December 2022

Culture Mile changes as Destination City sets out plans
For the past five years Culture Mile has been a programme of activities and projects in the north west of the City, a way of branding the area, and a team coordinating development. Some of that is changing, but quite how much won’t be clear for a few months. November 2022.

'Seats at the table’ for equity coming to West Smithfield
Winners have been announced for the competition to deliver “temporary public realm interventions in Smithfield and East London that collectively develop a deeper understanding of the public’s experience of streets and public spaces”. November 2022.

Community forum in the City’s Culture Mile set for approval
Proposals for a new community forum in the north west of the City of London – including Barbican and Golden Lane Estate estates – are confirmed in recommendations to the City’s Policy and Resource Committee on October 20. October 2022.

Culture Mile offers free financial wellbeing, yoga and inspiration events
The City of London’s Culture Mile programme, in its north west district, is keen to show benefits for locals. Here’s news of three events for anyone in the local community. October 2022

New visitor guide and films for Culture Mile demonstrate BID promotion plans
Visitors to the City’s north west cultural district now have a guide to venues, heritage sites, entertainment and shopping on the Culture Mile website. October 2022.

Revive Bartholomew Fair? Maybe it’s already happening in Culture Mile
Articles in the EC1Echo about reviving Bartholomew Fair in 2023 have attracted support. However, in lots of ways we already have an all-year Fair taking place in the many venues along the City of London’s Culture Mile. July 2022.

£50,000 Smithfield design competition might take inspiration from Bartholomew Fair
A new competition ‘Co-designing Equity in the Public Realm’ aims to deliver “temporary public realm interventions in Smithfield and East London that collectively develop a deeper understanding of the public’s experience of streets and public spaces”. Maybe plans for re-staging Bartholomew Fair could provide inspiration. July 2022.