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Downtown London advocates for the conditions businesses need to succeed.

 

We work to ensure the experiences, challenges, and priorities of downtown businesses and property owners are brought forward clearly and constructively to decision-makers. Our advocacy is rooted in one core principle: putting our members first while helping to create a downtown environment where businesses can grow, invest, and thrive.
Downtown is one of London’s most important economic, cultural, and civic districts. Supporting its success requires ongoing attention to the issues that affect business confidence, public realm conditions, investment, customer experience, and long-term competitiveness.

Why Advocacy Matters

Advocacy is a core part of Downtown London’s role.

We hear directly from members, observe trends on the ground, and work with partners across the city to identify issues that affect the downtown business environment. From day-to-day operational concerns to broader strategic planning and public policy matters, we bring a business-focused perspective to conversations that shape downtown.

Our goal is to help create an environment that is safe, welcoming, well-managed, economically competitive, and where businesses can succeed.

 

How We Advocate

Downtown London advocates in a number of ways to support members and strengthen the downtown business environment.

  • Listening to our members
  • Bringing forward business priorities
  • Writing letters and submissions
  • Up to date evidence-based data
  • Amplifying our message through the media
  • On-street issues reporting

 

Where We Advocate

Our team works across all levels of government to represent member interests and bring the concerns of the business community forward; municipally, provincially, and federally. 

  • Attend Council meetings, community partner meetings, and other relevant discussions
  • Partner with Ontario Business Improvement Area 
  • Partner with Downtown’s Canada

 

What We Advocate For

Our advocacy is focused on the conditions that help businesses operate successfully and confidently in downtown London.

This includes support for:

  • A clean, welcoming, and well-managed public realm
  • Safe and inviting streets for businesses, employees, customers, and visitors
  • Stronger business confidence and a positive downtown experience
  • Policies and investments that support retention, attraction, and growth
  • Economic development strategies that recognize downtown’s importance
  • Long-term planning that strengthens downtown’s role as an employment, cultural, and commercial centre

2026 Top Advocacy Topics

Each year, Downtown London focuses its advocacy on the issues that matter most to members and to the long-term strength of downtown. 2026 advocacy topics include:

 

Safety and Security

A safe and welcoming downtown is essential to a strong business environment. Downtown London continues to advocate for practical responses, better coordination, and sustained action that improve public confidence and support a positive downtown experience for members, customers, employees, and visitors.

 

Downtown Garbage Issues

Cleanliness has a direct impact on business confidence, customer experience, and public perception. Downtown London continues to advocate for improved attention to garbage-related issues, including collection, overflow, appearance, and service responsiveness.

 

Downtown Plan and Economic Strategy Funding

Downtown London is advocating for continued funding and commitment related to the Downtown Plan and broader economic strategy priorities, with a focus on actions that support business success, investment, and long-term downtown growth.

 

Working Papers

Downtown London is developing a series of working papers to help frame key issues, support informed discussion, and guide future advocacy. These papers focus on the key factors related to a healthy downtown, as raised in our Momentum Report; Economy, Vibrancy, Inclusion, Resilience, Identity, and overall Downtown Vitality.

 

These topics reflect the many factors that influence whether downtown businesses can succeed and whether downtown remains competitive, welcoming, and resilient.