Downtown London’s Marketing & Events Manager Aaron McMillan
Downtown London is happy to announce the hiring of Aaron McMillan as our new Marketing & Events Manager. Aaron comes with 20 years of combined experience in marketing, events, branding, design and media. He has held positions with Brain Tumour Foundations of Canada, Western University, Northern Commerce, and Info-Tech Research Group and led and/or participated on volunteer boards and committees for a number of cultural and music events and experiences in London including the Dundas Street Festival, Indie Underground, Home County Music & Arts Festival and Museum London to name a few. He is also a graduate from the Graphic Design Program at Fanshawe College. Welcome Aaron!
June Events Calendar
Check out all of the events happening here in
Downtown London for the month of June!
Construction dollars are back!
Starting next week, Londoners can receive Core Area Construction Dollars from the Downtown London Business Association and Old East Village BIA, as well as participating businesses, through contests, giveaways, events and promotions.
Construction Dollars are coupons in $5, $10 and $20-dollar amounts that can be redeemed at participating businesses in the core area. Businesses are reimbursed 100 percent of the value of each Construction Dollar through the Core Area Action Plan. Valid Construction Dollars are marked with the year “2022” and can be spent between now and November 30, 2022. How can businesses and customers get Construction Dollars? Construction Dollars cannot be purchased and are distributed by the Downtown London Business Association, Old East Village BIA and their merchants. Londoners are encouraged to follow the Old East Village BIA and Downtown London Business Association on social media for opportunities to win construction dollars. Businesses are encouraged to reach out to their BIA directly. More information will be provided in the coming weeks through media release, email, social media, Downtown London and the Old East Village BIA.
City of London: Traffic Changes
Upcoming: Queens Avenue between Talbot and Richmond Streets
Crews will be mobilizing east on Queens Avenue approximately on Monday, June 13 which will require a full closure between Talbot Street and Richmond Street. Both Talbot and Richmond intersections remain open to continue to support traffic to and through downtown. A signed detour will be in place to help visitors and residents navigate around the closure. More details will be provided in coming days through email, Public Service Announcements and social media, as well as signs to notify drivers in the area.
Update: Dundas and Ridout intersection
The intersection of Dundas Street and Ridout Street North is anticipated to reopen on Wednesday, June 8 to help drivers reach their downtown destinations via Ridout and King Streets. Ridout Street North will remain fully closed between Fullarton Street and Queens Avenue, and from Queens Avenue to Dundas Street.
As a reminder, Dundas Place traffic diversions continue to be in place to maintain a safe cycling and pedestrian environment on the flex street during construction.
HOLY ROLLER Returns to Post in Victoria Park
The HOLY ROLLER, the World War II veteran tank that has stood steadfast in Victoria Park in remembrance of the 1st Hussars who landed on D-Day, has now been returned to its post in downtown London after undergoing extensive preservation at Fanshawe College. The HOLY ROLLER is the one of only two Canadian Sherman tanks to return to Canada in 1946 that fought from D-Day to VE Day. Dignitaries from across the country will join the HOLY ROLLER Preservation Team as a rededication ceremony and simultaneous celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the 1st Hussars Regiment unfolds in downtown London this coming weekend, June 4th and 5th. On Sunday, June 5th, the formal Military Parade will take place, starting at 10:25am at the Delta Armouries on Dundas St., leading first to City Hall, for the laying of wreaths, then to the site where the HOLY ROLLER has been placed once again in Victoria Park.
London Health Sciences Centre – Reimagining the future of health care
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals. LHSC is an important part of London and the surrounding area, providing care for more than one million patient visits each year. This community is growing and health care needs are changing. LHSC is in the process of developing a new Master Plan that will be our blueprint for how we deliver care that meets the needs of the community in 10, 20 and 30 years from now. An important part of the Master Planning process is hearing from the community. This survey is an opportunity for you to share your perspectives on the long-term future of LHSC. This survey should take you no longer than 10 minutes to complete. It can be completed in English, French, Spanish or Arabic. The survey will be open until June 17, 2022.
That’s Almost a Wrap!
The Shop Downtown London 2 Win contest is almost complete! With over 1200 entries and participants telling us that they have tried new places because of it, we believe it will have an impact on their future local shopping behaviour. Now it’s your turn to tell us what you think!
Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey below. Your feedback is important to us as we continue to drive customers to our local businesses in Downtown London.
Museum London Launches New Summer Hours
The Museum looks forward to welcoming everyone back with new hours. They’re expanding their public hours (11am to 5pm Thursday to Sunday) to include Wednesdays from 11am to 5pm and Thursday evenings until 8pm. Now that they’re open late Thursdays — it’s perfect for an after-work visit, date night dinner at The River Room and an exhibition, watching the sun set, shopping in the gift shop, or just taking a break from being at home.
For additional information, please reach out to
Mitra Shreeram, mshreeram@museumlondon.ca.
Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program
The Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program provides digital transformation training, consultation and guidance, and the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $2,500! Digital Main Street provides: One-on-one assistance through the Digital Service Squad program to provide your business with free digital transformation consulting and coaching. This can include but is not limited to:
- A digital assessment of your business’ digital literacy
- Access to a free online video-based digital transformation training program
- Website – review, updating, creation, best practices
- Social Media – support, best practices, advertising, and more
- Technology – support and guidance for the best options of technology tools to implement for your business
- Miscellaneous Digital Transformation Support: loyalty programs, point of sale systems, e-commerce, back-end business operations support (i.e. setting up QuickBooks etc.) A full list of available services can be found here.
Downtown London’s Clean Team is Now Pressure Washing!
You’ve probably seen our dedicated clean team before as they work year round to help keep downtown clean. Now on Tuesday and Thursday this summer you will see the team out pressure washing storefronts! We think this additional service will be a great aid for all merchants downtown as we know how hard everyone works in maintaining a clean and vibrant storefront. Our teams are constantly monitoring the downtown area and do their best to spot problems quickly after they occur, but if you are looking to have the team come out to pressure wash your storefront please reach out to Hailey at members@downtownlondon.ca.
2021 Downtown London Annual Review
The 2021 Downtown London Annual Review is now available to look through on the Downtown London website. This review reveals data and metrics surrounding funding, beautification, events & activations, member services and much more. To learn more, head to the link provided below.
A chance to win $3,000 for your business
Northbridge Insurance, a leading Canadian commercial insurer, recognizes the difficulties small- and medium-sized enterprises face as they recover from the impact of the pandemic. In honour of our 50th anniversary, Northbridge is giving away cash prizes to help financially support business owners like you. For a chance to win ONE OF SIX $3,000 cash prizes click the button below to complete an online form and enter the draw. This contest ends on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT.
Fanshawe College: Graduation Ceremonies 2022
Fanshawe’s very excited to return to in person graduations, with ceremonies scheduled downtown for the very first time at Budweiser Gardens – from Monday, June 20 to Wednesday, June 22.
The move downtown will bring the energy and excitement of as many as 7,000 graduates and their families into the heart of the city over the course of those three days. Display Fanshawe’s brand colours of red, white, grey and black in your business so we can show as much support as we can for the 2022 Fanshawe Graduates. Let’s get creative! Need some ideas on how you can help show your support? Reach out to activations@downtownlondon.ca for more information.
All Are Welcome Here
The London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership currently has a campaign called, All Are Welcome Here. This campaign provides free lawn signs, bumper stickers and window decals that are posted around the city to promote inclusion and a welcoming spirit. You have likely seen them around! These are simple resources for businesses to post and to identify a positive reputation for themselves as a business that is a safe space for all members of our community.
Call for businesses! You are invited to showcase local interactive art in your storefront window!
This photography and movement art installation, generously funded by the London Arts Council and entitled “Still, Life”, is created by the local artist collective Public Displays of Art (PDA). This series of large photography images come to life when viewers scan the images with their phones. It explores themes of urban decay, feminism, fertility, and the body as a site of care and generation, and uses Augmented Reality to encourage the community to engage and interact with the art. All that is required of businesses is an open storefront window where a poster (approx. 3’x4’) could be placed for the month of July 2022. This opportunity is free to take part in and will provide enhanced foot traffic to your location, while also supporting local artists in our community. If you are interested, please contact Hailey at members@downtownlondon.ca.
Dog Waste Bag Dispensers
The City of London has recently installed 12 dog waste bag dispensers downtown. You can find these dispensers at the following locations:
- 343 Richmond St
- 384 Richmond St
- 113 Dundas St
- 150 Dundas St
- 169 Dundas St
- 194 Dundas St
- 231 Dundas St
- 248 Dundas St
- Market Lane
- 183 King St
- Across from 211 King Street (in front of Impark Lot)
- 397 Clarence
Cleaning for a Cause
The Knights of Columbus will be available to receive your eWaste to avoid the landfill. During all weekends in May, drop off your electronics from 9 am to 2 pm. Examples to drop off include: TVs, screens, computers, laptops, cords, wires, small household appliances, audio/video equipment, tools, vacuums, etc. Essentially, anything with a cord will qualify. Large appliances, such as, Fridges, stoves, dish washers, air-conditioners are not accepted.
Location: St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica – 533 Clarence St (across from Victoria Park). For more info, please contact Roger at 519-280-1643.
Sharps Disposal Kits Available to Downtown London Businesses
Downtown London businesses can request a sharps disposal kit from the City to help them safely dispose of sharps on their private property. These kits include tongs, gloves, a receptacle for sharps and information on how to safely pick up sharps. With a limited supply, these kits are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can visit the Dundas Place Field House at 179 Dundas Street from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pick up a sharps disposal kit. You can also contact the Core Area Ambassadors by emailing corearea@london.ca or calling 519-661-2489, extension 7455 to request a sharps disposal kit be delivered to you. If needles are found on public property, please contact Dispatch at 519-661-4965. This phone line is answered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Find it in London Campaign
You’re invited to join the Find it in London campaign! This city-wide effort is in collaboration with Tourism London, Argyle BIA, Old East Village BIA, Hamilton Road BIA, Hyde Park BIA, and Downtown London BIA. This campaign is to create a sense of community while also stimulating economic growth across the city for our businesses. There is no cost to your business to be involved … and there are other opportunities as well! Your business will be listed in the online business directory on the campaign’s website www.finditinlondon.ca . You have the opportunity to be included in future activations that will bring customers to you!
Downtown Dollar Gift Cards
Downtown Dollars encourage local spending and are a great gift for the “tough to shop for” people in your life. Sign up here to receive Downtown Dollar Gift Cards as a method of payment from customers. Reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca for gift card set up and assistance!
Financial Assistance
Click here for information grants and loans available to small businesses.