Focus on Greenwich

London’s Night Czar joins Woolwich Lates festivities

Discover the Business Awards shortlist!

The shortlist for the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards, run in association with LandsecU+I and South East London Chamber of Commerce, has been announced. Competition was particularly stiff this year, with the Awards receiving a record of 324 applications. Of those, 72 businesses are in the running to win their categories.

The winners of three of the categories will be determined by public vote, which means you!

We welcomed London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé back to Woolwich on Friday 22 September, marking almost a year since the area was chosen as one of the Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zones

The Council has been working in partnership with local organisations to deliver ‘Woolwich Lates’, a varied programme of arts, fitness, retail and family events, that go on into the evening. Data captured from the events has shown, on average, a 23% increase in people flocking to the town centre in the evening.

The evening walkabout was an opportunity for London’s Night Czar to find out more about the impact the programme has had. The group visited Woolwich Works and Tramshed, two leading evening destinations, as well community space the Woolwich Front

Room. They talked to residents, night workers, volunteers and business owners at AT VR, Coffee Lounge, Square Bubbles, Hitachi Sushi and Duck Duck Pork.

Cllr Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, said: “One of our missions is supporting a thriving night-time economy to ensure our high streets are prosperous, safe and vibrant for local people and to support businesses. Cultural events like the ones hosted for Woolwich Lates and the Heritage Action Zone are a proven way to attract people into town centres and experience the wider offer while there.”

We are currently undertaking the final evaluation of the programme, which will inform the Council’s borough-wide vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and safe night-time economy.

Do you know any of the brilliant local businesses on the shortlist? You can vote for the ones that you think deserve to win the:

• Best Food and Drinks Venue

• Market or Mobile Trader

• High Street Business

The other categories will be selected by our panel of judges.

• Head Judge Cllr Mariam Lolavar

Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, Royal Borough of Greenwich

• Michael Bullion

CEO and Founder, Tribe Urban Entertainment

• Rachel Brown

Head of Enterprise and Innovation, University of Greenwich

Celebrating Living Wage Week

The biggest celebration of the real Living Wage is upon us!

We're excited to have more accredited Living Wage Employers than ever before to celebrate in Royal Greenwich, who are going the extra mile to provide stability and certainty to all their employees, like Peter’s Panas, pictured.

Championing the real Living Wage is central to our work to tackle in-work poverty and creating a more inclusive local economy. This is why we are offering grants to cover the cost of three years of accreditation to help more businesses to join us.

We are also working with the Living Wage Foundation, employers, and institutions across the borough to radically increase the number of real Living Wage accredited businesses in the city. United, we can make Royal Greenwich a Living Wage Place. This is a recognition by the Living Wage Foundation that celebrates the geographical areas that are doing more to expand the uptake of the living wage.

Our Living Wage campaign is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Find out more: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/become-a-living-wage-employer

Read more about the visit: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/night-czar-visit Find

For the latest business news, sign up to receive our newsletter: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/businessnewsletter

• Cllr Majid Rahman Economy Champion, Our Greenwich Plan, Royal Borough of Greenwich

• Tracey Sage

Associate, Emergency Exit Arts

• Steve Sayer

Vice President and General Manager, The O2

• Max Skomorowski

Director, Greenwich Enterprise Board

With thanks to our sponsors, without whom the Business Awards would not be possible.

Bromley Set To Light Up

Autumn in Bromley has got off to a busy start with our Black History Month celebrations. The event saw a day of music, food and amazing shopping at our black creators and makers market. The town centre was busy all day and footfall increased by 14.3%. As part of the project we have commissioned a photographic exhibition too which is on display until the end of the year on the High Street and online. There is plenty more to come this month too with the exciting Winter Lights Spectacular coming to the town centre on 25th October.”

Frances Forrest BID Manager Your Bromley BID

Christmas Lights Switch On

Bromley’s Christmas lights will be switched on on Sunday 19th November. Starting at midday, our event will see local theatre and performing arts schools, choirs and more take to the stage to welcome the festive season, before a well known local face joins us and our Local Hero of 2023 to switch on the town’s Christmas lights!

Please keep in touch with Your Bromley by subscribing to regular e.shots via yourbromley.com. Follow Your Bromley BID on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @YourBromley

Christmas Market - 11th November - 2nd Jan 2024

Bromley’s popular Christmas market will be back in the town centre with food and drink plus funfair rides

The market brings additional visitors to Bromley and provides much loved entertainment and, with its festive food offerings, really creates a Christmas buzz in town.

Winter Lights Spectacular

The third BR1 Lates event of the year is taking place on Wednesday 25th October from 5pm - 9pm. The Winter Lights Spectacular, will see the High Street illuminated with attractions including light up walk through tunnels, sensory spheres, a giant light up walk on piano, a campervan photobooth, glow-in-the-dark face painting, beautifully lit food vans, live music, walkabout performers and much more.

Lighting up Bromley will last for longer than one day though. The Your Bromley team and London Borough of Bromley have secured additional funding for the darker winter months, lighting up the town centre with longer term lighting installations. The Churchill Theatre will be lit by a changing light projected on the outside of the building, the Bromley North sign will be lit up and further installations in town will bring beautiful light into our town until the end of January.