London’s Bankside is set to further cement its position as one of London’s most dynamic business districts over the next five years, as a wave of significant private and public development plans coincide with BID Better Bankside’s new 5-year strategy to support and enhance the area.
By 2030, around £4bn worth of investment across 28 major sites will deliver 10 million square feet of new development in Bankside – bringing new workplaces, homes, cultural and leisure destinations to the area. Alongside this, Better Bankside, one of the UK’s first Business Improvement Districts (BIDs,) and the first London BID, has published its five-year strategy for 2025–30, setting out how it will deliver on the resounding mandate secured in its ballot, when 91% of local businesses voted YES to another five years of Better Bankside. The strategy has been co-created with the BID’s 880 Bankside businesses and community stakeholders and sets out how Better Bankside will realise its impressive £14million area investment, and its vision for a Stronger, Greener, Happier Bankside. When looked at together, the area’s development pipeline and the BID’s 5-year plan are set to deliver significant transformation to one of London’s most dynamic and vibrant areas.
Nicole Gordon, CEO of Better Bankside commented; “Over the last 20-years, Bankside has seen major evolution, into what is now one of the world’s most prestigious cultural districts. Investment into the area has led to the birth of Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre, desirable retail/ hospitality concepts like Borough Yards and exciting examples of urban innovation – such as the repurposing of the area’s Victorian arches into the Low Line, offering mixed-use business and retail space. The planned investment over the next 5-years will build on this further, with our BID committing £14 million to projects which will ensure the economic prosperity, climate resilience and collaborative-spirit of the area continues to thrive. Twenty eight planned developments will further support this with a projected 44,000 employees arriving into Bankside, contributing an estimated £122 million annual spend to the benefit of our member businesses. Our BID will ensure this leads to a stronger, greener and happier Bankside by 2030, preserving the area’s unique spirit while creating innovative opportunities for collaboration and growth.”
28 New Planned Developments for Bankside worth £4billion
Over the next five years, c£4bn of private and public investment across 28 major sites in Bankside will bring new workplaces, homes, culture, and leisure to the area. Better Bankside has analysed these developments to help members understand what this means for their business and plan for the future.
The scale of change in Bankside will directly impact who works, lives, studies, and visits. That means:
- More customers and clients – thousands of new workers, residents, and visitors will increase local spending power
- Opportunities to grow – new office space, retail, cultural and leisure destinations will bring different audiences into Bankside
- Collaboration potential – the arrival of new sectors in Bankside will increase partnerships, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
What’s ahead for Bankside:
- 5m+ sq ft of new office space in mixed-use campuses
- 2,500 student units and 390 new hotel beds
- 1,517 new private homes and 529 affordable homes
- 135,000 sq ft of new retail, food and beverage space
- 36,000 sq ft of new cultural and leisure space
By 2030, these sites will host around 44,000 employees, contributing an estimated £122m annual spend in Bankside.
Bankside is already ahead of local development targets, delivering more office, commercial, retail, and leisure floorspace than planned for the wider area. This cements its position as one of London’s most dynamic business districts, while also highlighting untapped opportunities in sectors like education and life sciences.
About BID Better Bankside’s new 5-Year-Strategy
The new strategy is built around five ambitious goals which build on the area’s rich cultural and entrepreneurial spirit, to create prosperity and growth, prioritise community and drive climate resilience.
The BID will celebrate and build on Bankside’s unique London’s “Other Side” identity, foster its ‘super network’ of businesses to trade, collaborate and share opportunities, and ensure growth and prosperity (from a flourishing business landscape to high-quality public spaces) benefits the entire community through initiatives supporting those facing social or economic disadvantage. Practical, borough-focused climate action will help small businesses decarbonise through the BID’s sector-leading programmes. Wellbeing initiatives, new Bankside Inclusion Networks, and an enhanced community warden presence will ensure Bankside remains a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for all who live, work, or visit.
Five Ambitious Goals in Detail:
Goal 1: Better Bankside will amplify Bankside’s distinct identity to attract investment, talent and visitors.
Bankside is “London’s Other Side,” a world class neighbourhood with a distinct identity. Better Bankside is the custodian of this neighbourhood and will shout about why it is special and use levers to protect and nurture what makes it so – in all of its diversity.
By 2030: Bankside will have a higher profile among Londoners, more local workers will identify the area as their place of work. Bankside will become known for its otherness, a central London neighbourhood with an independent spirit. Businesses will want to be located in Bankside and people will want to work there.
Goal 2: Better Bankside will foster a strong Bankside economy enabling businesses to thrive.
Bankside is a neighbourhood that has experienced constant reinvention and, throughout history, has been a place of industry and entrepreneurialism. Better Bankside has a role to play in creating the local conditions to enable businesses to thrive in this neighbourhood ecosystem, ensuring that being located in Bankside is good for business.
By 2030: Bankside becomes a ‘super network’ of connected businesses, with improved workforce skills, free training, and initiatives to trade with and meet other local businesses. The Bankside £ circulates boosting local spend, the business community is resilient and engagement is higher than ever.
Goal 3: The benefits of growth in Bankside will be felt by everyone.
Growth in Bankside is inevitable, with a number of major schemes in the pipeline and many more sites ripe for redevelopment – 10m sq ft over the next five years. Growth will support the entire community, not just a few, creating safer, greener, and cleaner streets and high-quality public spaces.
By 2030: £14m of investment has benefited the neighbourhood, making it safer, greener and cleaner and transforming neglected spaces into places to meet and connect. Businesses have the tools to act as responsible employers, leading to good workforce wellbeing, and communities beyond the Bankside boundary benefit too.
Goal 4: Bankside will be a neighbourhood resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Businesses in Bankside are likely to face increased heat, flash flooding, and poorer air quality. London, however, is one of the greenest cities in the world and a recognised leader in combating climate change. Better Bankside is well positioned to play an active role. It is vital that Better Bankside works with local businesses and key stakeholders to take action on climate mitigation and resilience.
By 2030: Increased green spaces, improved biodiversity, and support for businesses to decarbonise operations. More businesses will have been supported to take action on decarbonising their operations through BB’s sector leading programmes. More businesses will be supported by a commercially viable Better Bankside procurement framework, providing sustainable and efficient supply chains.
Goal 5: Bankside will be a safe and welcoming neighbourhood with a unique sense of belonging.
Better Bankside is well placed to collaborate with a range of partners to deliver a robust and comprehensive response to crime and to improve perceptions of safety. Bankside is a community, home to a diverse and engaged mix of people and businesses. Better Bankside has a real opportunity to build on this energy – creating meaningful ways for people to connect and contribute, and fostering an inclusive neighbourhood that people are proud of.
By 2030: Increased community warden patrols, transformed public spaces, expanded Bankside Inclusion Networks, and wellbeing initiatives ensure a safe, inclusive, and vibrant neighbourhood where people feel valued and connected.
