In this Issue:

Last Call for Event Sponsorship
Last call for 2026 Event sponsorship opportunities!

To be eligible for sponsorship, events must take place within the Downtown London BIA boundary.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@DowntownLondon.ca.

📌 The deadline for this year’s sponsorship submissions is February 27, 2026.
Submit your application here

Last Call for Clean Team Service RFPs
The Downtown London Business Association (LDBA) is inviting proposals for two Clean Team service contracts.

We are seeking qualified service providers for the following:

These services play a key role in maintaining a clean, welcoming, and well-maintained downtown environment.📌 Submission deadline: March 9 at 12:00 PM (noon)

Proponents are encouraged to review the full RFP documents for detailed scope, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria. Late submissions will not be accepted.

💬 Questions and proposal submissions should be directed to Judith@downtownlondon.ca.

LPS Updates
In April 2025, the London Police Service (LPS) launched the Open-Air Substance Use Strategy to respond to persistent community concerns regarding open substance use in public spaces.

Key highlights of the Open Air Substance Use Strategy Report:

  • 5,000 calls for service (54% trespassing and 39% drug activity in progress)
  • Of the 1,400 referrals for service (to London Cares, Ark Aid, etc) 63% refused that service (Compare this to the Nurse Police Response Team where 83% of services offered were accepted (89% when it was wound care))
  • Police seized 3,700 pieces of drug paraphernalia (over 2,100 pipes (meth, crack, etc) and over 1,100 pieces of foil with drug residue (fentanyl, etc)
  • 90% of all drug seizures were fentanyl (over 1,600 seizures with 85% of those trace residue)
  • Interactions with over 1,000 unique individuals in our Core Area (Downtown, Midtown, Old East Village) and more than half (57%) of those with multiple interactions with LPS
Read the full report here

Coordinated Informed Response Trespass Agreement
The Trespass Agreement Program is a voluntary partnership between businesses, property owners, and the Coordinated Informed Response (CIR) team. CIR takes a compassionate, housing-focused approach to supporting individuals who are street-involved, experiencing homelessness, or urban camping by connecting them to shelter and services.

By signing the agreement, you give the CIR team permission to enter your private property when concerns arise. This allows trained outreach staff to respond on site, engage respectfully, work toward safe solutions, and enforce the Trespass to Property Act when required. Once submitted, you will receive a green CIR window sticker to place beside your existing red and yellow No Trespassing notice, confirming consent and enabling faster response.

Why participate?

  • Faster response to situations on your property
  • Balanced approach focused on safety and de-escalation
  • Reduced disruption for staff and customers
  • Connection of vulnerable individuals to housing and supports
  • Participation helps protect your business while supporting a coordinated community response and long-term solutions.
Learn more about the program here

Downtowner Insights
We’ve included a brief attachment to our last letter with key insights on downtown visitors, including where they’re coming from and what motivates them to visit. The data, sourced from multiple reputable providers, will be updated on an ongoing basis so we can monitor trends over time.

We hope these insights provide a clearer understanding of your customers and help inform your business planning, promotions, and marketing efforts in the year ahead!
Read the full Downtowner Insight here
Check out the Quarter 4 of 2025 letter here

March Event Calendar
Check out the calendar here
Submit your downtown event here

Webinar: Profitability, Retention, and the Rise of AI
What’s Actually Working for Food and Beverage Operators in 2026
Food and beverage operators across Canada are navigating a rapidly changing landscape. On March 17, 2026, industry peers join a live, operator-led conversation to share practical shifts driving profitability, retention, and clearer day-to-day decisions with AI.

What You’ll Learn

  • Profitability without reinvention
  • Retention is an operations problem
  • Community as a growth engine

📌 Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM EST
Learn more and register here

Good News

Stay in the Loop!
Downtown London Business Association

City of London