In this Issue:

Quarter 4 of 2025
Dear Members, As we wrap up the final quarter of 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on October, November, and December and to thank you for the energy, creativity, and care you continue to bring to downtown. The last few months of the year showed real momentum and reminded us how much impact our businesses have when we move forward together.
That momentum was clear at our Annual General Meeting, where we were pleased to see strong attendance and meaningful engagement from members. Coming together to connect, reflect, and look ahead continues to be an important part of building a healthy and resilient downtown business community. Downtown for the Holidays was another highlight of the quarter and truly showcased the best of downtown. The carousel and horse and carriage were incredibly popular, bringing families and visitors into the core and creating memorable seasonal experiences. Our Holiday Window Contest added colour, creativity, and friendly competition to the streets. The People’s Choice contest alone saw more than 20,000 votes, with congratulations going to The Bread Bowl as this year’s winner. Staff and judges also toured 60 businesses to select the juried winners: • 1st Prize: Barney’s for the Jolly Elf and Frosty’s patio pop-ups • 2nd Prize: David E. White • 3rd Prize: From Mars
The level of effort and imagination across the district was inspiring. From beautifully decorated storefronts to standout hospitality displays, it was great to see businesses leaning into the season. The friendly competition resulted in some of the best holiday displays we have seen to date, including the brilliantly decorated Richmond Row bars such as Barney’s, Jack Astor’s, Molly Bloom’s, and Winks. We look forward to building on this creativity and energy next year. Our downtown trails continued to perform strongly through the fall and early winter and remained popular with visitors. Signature moments like the Lighting of the Lights and New Year’s celebrations were busy and well attended, even with challenging weather. Holiday lighting, winter greenery in planters, and seasonal décor added brightness and colour throughout the core, helping downtown feel welcoming, vibrant, and festive.
The final quarter also brought positive signals for business. We saw a record number of Downtown Dollar Gift Card sales, which means guaranteed dollars flowing back into local businesses in the months ahead. Our marketing efforts continued to grow as well, supported by strong partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, the City of London, and other key partners. These collaborations help bring more people downtown and support local businesses year round. As 2026 begins, it also offers a chance to reflect on the progress around us. New businesses continue to open, major infrastructure milestones like the completion of the downtown transit loop are coming into view, and the release of the City’s new Economic Strategy and Downtown Plan provides a clear framework for continued investment and collaboration. It is encouraging to see these plans recognize downtown as a key economic driver for the entire city and identify it as a priority for ongoing investment, growth, and long-term success.
More insights and analytics here

Virtual Public Meeting for the Downtown Plan
The City of London is hosting a second virtual public meeting as part of their ongoing process to develop a new plan for the future of downtown.

📌 Meeting details: The virtual session will be held on Thursday, February 5, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. via Zoom webinar.

Register for the webinar today or go to the project’s Get Involved webpage anytime before the meeting to learn more and sign up.

Starting A Small Business – Virtual Seminar
This free seminar will give you an overview of our programs, services, and critical business startup information.

Learn about:

  • programs and services available
  • what it takes to operate a small business
  • market research resources
  • the importance of creating a business plan
  • how to structure your business
  • legal & tax considerations
  • general licensing & zoning information
  • how to register your business
  • government & community resources
  • next steps to put your plan into action

You will leave with a better understanding of how to get started and will be prepared for the next steps!

📌 Thursday, February 26th, 2026 @ 10 am – 11:30 am
Register for the seminar here
More events from the Small Business Centre here

Nominations Open: LMLIP Awards
LMLIP is accepting nominations for the Welcoming Workplace Award, recognizing small to medium employers who provide meaningful career opportunities for immigrants in London and Middlesex.

Eligibility:

  • Employers with fewer than 100 employees
  • Actively employing immigrants for 3+ years
  • Offering career growth and a welcoming workplace

📌 Deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026

Winners announced at the All Are Welcome Here event on March 25, 2026.
Full details and submit a nomination here
LMLIP is accepting nominations for the Welcoming Landlord Award, recognizing landlords who support newcomers and help create a welcoming community.

Two awards are presented each year:

  • Private landlords (individual property owners)
  • Residential/commercial landlords (property management companies)

📌 Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026

Winners announced at the All Are Welcome Here event on March 25, 2026.
Full details and submit a nomination here

2026 Event Sponsorship
Event sponsorship opportunities are currently open!

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

Member Grant Updates
The 2026 Property Damage Grant is now available.

This is a one time grant to help LDBA members with costs incurred for repairs related to damage due to vandalism that has
occurred in 2026.
Learn more and apply here
Other grants and discounts opportunities here

Stay in the Loop!
Downtown London Business Association

City of London