Brixton Business Improvement District

Over the past year, we have been working closely with locally based International Architect’s firm Squire & Partners to create bespoke winter lamppost lights for Brixton. Our Winter Wonder Lights showcase the designs of local young people who have created the previous seven years of the firm’s Winter Windows initiative. Launching this festive period, we are excited to announce that these designs will be featuring across Brixton town centre to light up our winter nights. Since 2017, Squire & Partners Winter Windows are an annual celebration of young people from Brixton’s local schools and youth organisations. Their designs have been turned into unique lighting displays and showcased in the firm’s Brixton office during the festive period. The new lamppost lights have been produced by specialist company Blachere Illumination, and have been made using recycled plastic bottles, with each design inspired by the theme of Brixton Wonderland. The number of lights will grow each year and expand across the district. Gianluca Rizzo, Managing Director said: “With our Winter Wonder Lights, we want to celebrate everything that Brixton is about: creativity, community and young people. The collaboration with Squire & Partners to extend the Winter Windows across our town centre puts at the heart of Brixton the work of local young creative pupils. There is not better way to celebrate the festive period by visiting your local favourite shops and venues and show Brixton some love.” Find out more and follow the trail here: https://lnkd.in/dpDbv4RU

📢 Help Shape the Future of Brixton Nightlife! 🌃   Brixton's nightlife has faced tough times recently, and we need YOUR voice to help us bounce back stronger than ever! Whether you're a loyal customer, dedicated employee, thriving business owner, or hardworking contractor, we want to hear about your experiences - the good, the challenging, and everything in between.   Your insights are crucial for us to understand the current landscape and to plan a vibrant, safe, and inclusive recovery for everyone.   🔗 Complete our survey now and make a difference: https://lnkd.in/gPjiMsC9   Let's come together and revive the heartbeat of Brixton! 💖✨   #BrixtonNightlife #CommunitySurvey #SupportLocal #BrixtonRecovery #YourVoiceMatters

Brixton is known for its incredible night-time offering: from delicious global cuisines to grassroots music venues, cozy pubs to hidden burlesque clubs. BBC News joined us to speak to some of our venues about the current trading environment and the challenges they are currently facing. Our Managing Director Gianluca Rizzo featured along with Hammant Patel Villa owner of The Courtesan, Max Golfar Head of Music at The Hootananny, and Brian Danclair owner of Fish, Wing and Tings. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dDVwM4sD

In October 2023, we started our Dare to Share series, which includes conferences, seminars, roundtables and joint patrols to support our businesses in tackling business crime and anti-social behaviour. Since its inception we have looked at the national landscape, what individual businesses are rolling out to protect staff, respond to increasing shoplifting, aggressive begging and drug use as well as holding roundtables with representatives from the Met Police, Lambeth Council and Safer Business Network. Our most recent meeting was featured in The Times by journalist David Woode. Members of the business community highlighted the challenges they are currently facing in relation to crime. Gianluca Rizzo, our Managing Director added "Having a uniformed police presence on the streets responding to and acting on concerns is key for any business community. The problem's we are experiencing cannot be solved by police alone. Years of cuts to public services have resulted in more issues on the street, not just theft and robberies." Read more: https://lnkd.in/euZaiEWd

Earlier this month, Gianluca Rizzo, our Managing Director and Elly Foster, Co-Chair of our Board were interviewed on BBC London about community safety and policing. They talked about one of our initiative that were put in place to support our business community with safety. Our Street Team were introduced in August 2021 to support our business community, they work five days a week in shift patterns that cover busier hours. Since introducing the team, they have been involved in joint patrols, supported our businesses in increasing reports of business crime, strengthening relationships with Safer Business Network and more. Watch the full clip online: https://lnkd.in/eKGu5Tt5 #communitysafety #brixton #safety

We are joining the Night Time Industries Association in campaigning for an urgent VAT cut to 12.5% in the Spring budget. In 2021 Covid-19 prompted a temporary 5% VAT cut, however the UK Government excluded wet-led businesses from benefiting from the VAT relief. Since 2020, the UK has lost over 23,000 Hospitality and Night-Time Economy businesses. Cutting VAT will reduce closures and boost financial viability. Support the Hospitality and Night-Time Economy by writing to your MP now! ✍️ https://lnkd.in/ezdaTmas #LeaveNoOneBehind