Coronation shines a spotlight on a reignited capital city

London is buzzing in anticipation of the celebrations this weekend, as our new monarch is coronated in Westminster Abbey with the obligatory pomp and ceremony that we are known the world over for. Whether you are a monarchist or not, this is a moment for the nation to come together to soak up the atmosphere, relish the patriotic festivities and at the very least enjoy the long bank holiday weekend!?

There is much for us to look forward to in the coming days, and of course our hospitality, leisure and retail businesses are especially pleased with the increased footfall that is expected, with many still in recovery mode post pandemic.?The U.K. received some 29.7 million visits last year, still nearly a third below 2019.

This historic moment in British history is proving a magnet at home and abroad. The online travel agency Opodo say they saw a 121 per cent increase in searches for trips to the capital for the bank holiday weekend compared to the same period last year. Premier Inn said all of its rooms in Westminster sold out in 15 minutes after the coronation date was announced in January, and across the country, a four per cent boost in retail footfall is predicted by experts MRI Springboard. Incredibly, Brewer Greene King expects to pull 1.8 million pints in its 1,600 pubs during the celebrations!

In readiness for the influx of visitors, the capital is putting on a world class show, with flags and decorations, picnics, art installations, special tea parties and much more, to entertain visitors and Londoners. Across London, I am proud to see how the public and private sectors are working together to showcase London at its very best, with Business Improvement Districts leading the way.

In Westminster, which will be the focus of the ceremonial events this weekend, the London Heritage Quarter BIDs are running a Nature Trail to mark the King’s longstanding commitment to the environment. This trail features sculptures of a Squirrel, Hare and Badger, found in Christchurch, Lower Grosvenor and Whitehall Gardens, enabling visitors to experience the processional route in a different way. The trail launches for the coronation and continues right through until August.

In the City, the BIDs are all seizing on the coronation as a not only a moment to celebrate, but to encourage people to visit the Square Mile too. From forest bathing, picnics, big lunches, art classes and floral crown workshops to Instagram opportunities, outdoor yoga, and pop-up allotments, there is a packed programme for people to enjoy. Supporting The City of London Corporation flagship policy of ‘Destination City’ the BIDs continue to deliver events and activities to encourage people to see the City differently, as much as a destination for leisure as it is a global economic powerhouse.

Importantly, some of these events will be around for people to enjoy long after the coronation celebrations are over. The Eastern City BID , for example, has just launched?two urban allotments located at?20 Fenchurch Street, home of the Sky Garden, in partnership with H Properties.?The allotments will be in situ until the end of June and have been made from second hand scaffolding boards and timber and are filled with planting from herbs and wildflowers for all the community to enjoy.

The experience of visiting our great city matters – it matters to workers, tourists and residents alike. The better the experience, the more likely it is to be vibrant and prosperous. Moments such as the coronation are of course an opportunity to put a spotlight on the capital, but the real opportunity is to create world class experiences all year-round. I know from seeing the work across our portfolio that there are exciting plans in the pipeline, from public realm improvements to high profile cultural events, all aiming to make London the best city in the world to visit and do business in.

So, let’s enjoy the celebrations over the next few days, and let’s also celebrate the reawakening of our capital and the role we are all playing in its resurgence. The last few years have been challenging, but together we are pulling together to support our businesses, attract new investment and welcome tourists back once again.”