There are 70 business improvement districts (BIDs) in London where businesses come together to invest in improving their local surrounding environment. They are owned, funded and led by local businesses via a voluntary Board of Directors working in partnership with key stakeholders.
Each BID employs an operational team to carry out projects and initiatives identified by the Board and member businesses.
Vauxhall One’s Summer Screen event
Bernard Collier, Chief Executive of Vauxhall One, says: “We bring together more than 400 local businesses to invest almost £4million into improving the area over five years – helping make Vauxhall cleaner, greener and safer, and drawing visitors to explore its unique heritage and culture.
“Vauxhall One is now midway through its third democratically elected five-year term, working in five priority areas: Safer Vauxhall, Cleaner Vauxhall, Greener Vauxhall, Better Vauxhall and Destination Vauxhall.
“Our office is right in the heart of Vauxhall at The Coade on Vauxhall Walk – but you’ll see our team working from Vauxhall station to Lambeth Bridge in the north, around the KIA Oval to the east, and down to the border with Nine Elms. In the summer, we host free outdoor events in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens including Bearpit Karaoke, Summer Screens and Victorian Vauxhall.
Living Wage – the right thing to do
“Simply put, paying London Living Wage is the right thing to do. The ethos of the Living Wage Foundation reflects our own organisation’s values: everyone should be able to earn a wage that meets their everyday needs.
“We’re a voice for the local business community, tasked with attracting footfall to the area and encouraging people to spend their hard-earned money here in Vauxhall. How can we expect people to do that if we don’t pay them enough live? Accreditation helps us demonstrate our commitment and set an example for the businesses that we represent.
Encouraging businesses
“We know many local businesses already pay London Living Wage, but are not yet accredited. Accreditation is a good way to demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to a fairer wage and can open up access to a wider pool of candidates.
“There is plenty of support available from Lambeth and the Living Wage Foundation for the accreditation process, including grants for eligible businesses, and we’d encourage business owners to take advantage of that.
“Attracting organisations and their employees to Vauxhall will help drive investment in the area, as well as increasing spend in local pubs, restaurants, shops and entertainment businesses. Making Lambeth a Living Wage Place, where most businesses can demonstrate their commitment to paying a fair wage, can only help to attract more of that investment.”
More information
- More about Vauxhall One | The Vibrant Place
- Find out more about how Lambeth Council can support local employers.
- For more on support from Lambeth Council on accreditation, email livingwage@lambeth.gov.uk.
