On behalf of the Chancery Lane Association Board of Directors, I’m writing in response to the recent news that the Fleet Street Quarter (FSQ) Business Improvement District (BID) has been successful in its ballot. It will go live in April 2022, initially for a five-year term.

The BID covers a large portion of EC4, all within the City of London, of which Chancery Lane forms the westerly boundary. BID’s generally have to be contained within one borough for ease of administration and levy collection, and so the BID’s boundary will run along Chancery Lane. Any business on the eastern side of Chancery Lane will fall within the BID’s footprint and all qualifying occupiers will have a statutory obligation to pay into the BID.

After several rounds of discussions, both with the CLA’s Directors and with Primera, the company behind the FSQ, we have concluded that the baton of stewardship for Chancery Lane should pass from the CLA to the FSQ with effect from April. We will therefore not be seeking to collect membership renewal fees from 1st April 2022. The CLA will cease in its present role and be wound down.

Although there is some sadness after over 15 years of promoting the Lane, we are delighted for FSQ and wish the team all the very best in its work. The BID levy will initially generate over £12m over its initial life to invest in the BID area, including the Lane, far beyond the level of funds that the CLA could raise through voluntary membership. The BID will also provide full-time staff dedicated to the cause, and will be supported by a large number of active committees. It does feel right that the task of promoting the area, especially as we finally fully emerge from lockdown, now falls to a well-funded, well-oiled machine which also runs all neighbouring BIDs.

We will, of course, stand ready to help with anything we can, and we have highlighted the need that the west side of the Lane (territory that falls within Camden and Westminster) should not be overlooked or miss out in any way. We will be assisted in this by Alison Turner, Operations Director of Framestore, having sat on the CLA Board, now continuing as an FSQ Board member.

We have high hopes for the FSQ and we hope it might build upon some CLA achievements such as the Christmas lights, Lunchtime Streets, food market, Parklets, Business Watch and our happy social gatherings.

From myself, Nicola and all the Directors, we wish you the very best for the future.