How we’re performing so far
In June 2024, we proudly won the 'Planning to Address Climate Change' category at the Planning Awards, alongside partner Local Planning Authorities and London Councils. This award recognises our joint effort in developing a Low Carbon Development toolkit, underscoring our commitment to sustainable growth through strategic planning.
We're also driving local economic growth and cultural experiences with initiatives like 'Meanwhile On' where we’re transforming empty shops into vibrant spaces for emerging brands. On Oxford Street, South Molton Street, and Brook Street, we’ve confirmed brands such as CANVVS, Love Cocoa, Kindred of Ireland, and Hades. This initiative supports creative entrepreneurs while revitalising our high streets.
In North Paddington, we’ve successfully launched the 'North Paddington Creates' grant scheme, backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which supports artists and cultural organisations to boost North Paddington’s creative scene.
We hosted West End LIVE, attracting over 70,000 visitors for two days of free performances, and the Donmar Warehouse brought Shakespeare’s "Macbeth' to 2,000 Westminster students, making theatre more accessible.
Additionally, our new 'Skills and Training' programme offers courses and bursaries to help residents enhance their careers. Finally, the North Paddington Programme has been allocated £10 million to improve employment, green spaces, high streets, and community centres over the next three years.
Below we have highlighted some of the other ways we have delivered throughout the 2023/24 financial year. Although progress continues to be made, we know there is still work to do as we deliver our Fairer Westminster strategy.
Improving job opportunities
Our aim is to provide employment opportunities that benefit all residents...
West End LIVE, our free annual musical showcase in Trafalgar Square, attracted 70,000 visitors in June. Delivering two days of live and free performances and showcasing 60 top West End musicals, this event boosted theatre revenues and provided a welcome lift to local businesses as attendees explored the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, Inside Out returned to showcase our city's vibrant art and culture scene in streets and open spaces, all for free. At this year's outdoor festival, there were inspiring guided walks, dance and drama performances, family workshops, live music and more, with something to delight everyone.
Skills and training
Our aim is ensure our residents gain the right skills to benefit from better employment opportunities...
We have had good take-up of work-focussed training with residents studying over 35 different qualifications across multiple subjects and levels during the first quarter of this year. These included:
- ESOL
- English and Maths qualifications (including GCSEs)
- Art and design courses with subject areas including Fashion, Graphic Design and Ceramics covering Levels 1 to 3
- Creative Media courses at Level 2 and 3
- IT courses from Level 2 Software and Programming and Level 3 Coding to Full Stack Web Application Bootcamps
- Business and Management courses such as Bookkeeping and Lean Management
Business Support
Our aim is to help businesses of all sizes thrive within a strong, resilient economy...
Businesses across the city are receiving support such as our Start-up to Scale-up scheme (with 40 businesses supported through workshops and 1:1 support), our High Streets Programme (including 49 businesses being supported to resolve issues in Paddington and Bayswater and 15 being supported in North Paddington through our Shopfront Improvements programme), and through support for 132 businesses and VCS organisations to access and understand grant funding opportunities.
New business support programmes are being launched that aim to complement existing provision and provide more bespoke support.
We are committed to being open and transparent and making information on our progress more accessible to everyone. This way you can always see how we're doing on delivering a Fairer Westminster. The above are just a few of the ways we're measuring how we're building a Fairer Economy. You can also find out more at our Open Data page and by reading our Fairer Westminster Delivery Plan:
