Business Insider – October 9

Save the Date: 2025 AGM

👀  A little sneak peak at what we will be discussing:

• A Year of Downtown Momentum in 2025
• Roundtable Discussion Building Momentum through Creative Uses
• 2025 Business Achievement Award and Gerald Gallacher Award Winners

Contact Info@DowntownLondon.ca for questions and ideas 🙂

October Event Calendar

Keep an eye out for the bat symbol, it marks events that bring the Halloween and spooky-season vibes downtown 🦇

Due to the current Canada Post ban on flyer delivery, we’re unable to mail calendars to businesses this month. But don’t worry, you can still grab a physical copy from one of our partner locations, or view it digitally on our website and our social media.

📍 Pick up a physical calendar at our office (114 Dundas St.) or from one of our partner locations during their operating hours:

• Dundas Place (190 Dundas St.)
• Covent Garden Market (130 King St.)
• Central Library (251 Dundas St.)
• Grand Theatre (471 Richmond St.)
• Museum London (421 Ridout St. N)
• London City Hall (300 Dufferin Ave)
• Tourism London Downtown Welcome Centre (391 Wellington St.)
• Canada Life Place (99 Dundas St.)
• Imagine Cinema (355 Wellington St.)
• TAP Centre for Creativity (203 Dundas St.)

Western’s Convocation

Downtown London is excited to welcome thousands of graduates and their families this October as Western University hosts their Fall Convocation ceremonies in the core! 🎓

💜 From October 21 – 23, Western will host four Convocation ceremonies at Canada Life Place and along Dundas Place (Ridout to Talbot).

Ceremonies will take place at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on October 22 and 23, with October 21 dedicated to preparation and setup. Dundas Place (Ridout to Talbot) will be closed all three days, and activities will take place on Dundas Place behind Canada Life Place throughout the celebrations.

What to Expect in the Core:
With more than 13,000 visitors expected over three days, the core will see increased daytime activity, especially near Canada Life Place, Dundas Street, and surrounding businesses.

It’s a great opportunity to showcase your business. Consider updating your storefront or offering special promotions to celebrate grads and their families.

Let’s give them a warm downtown London welcome! 👏

Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)

SME Benefits

• Modernize your retail business
• Up to $5,000 in support from OCI
• Update your systems
• Automate workflows & increase efficiency
• Create an enhanced customer experience

Road Notices

City of London – Let’s Talk Parks

In-person open houses are also being planned and will be promoted in the community. Feedback will be used as part of updating the City’s current Parks and Recreation Master Plan, a long-term strategy that guides how the City will plan, invest in and deliver the programs, services and spaces that help Londoners stay active, connected and well.

If you have any questions, please contact the project team at talkparks@london.ca.

You can also subscribe for email updates about the plan on the project’s webpage here.

Sorry! Comedy Festival

With 25+ shows across 10 venues, you’ll experience stand-up, improv, and everything in between! Headlined by Tom Green, Rory Scovel & Jon Dore, Demetri Martin, Sophie Buddle & Ali Macofsky, plus the hottest new talent from Canada’s Next Best Comic. Get your Tickets before they sell out!

Good News

• New numbers offer glimmer of hope for downtown London’s office vacancy (London Free Press, Oct 1)
• New student-focused residence planned for Oxford and Richmond intersection (The Gazette, Oct 1)
• City Hall projecting another large budget surplus for third year in a row (CTV News, Oct 2)
• Get into spooky season this October in London on a budget (The Gazette, Oct 2)
• Arts community gathers to celebrate life of late musician Peter Brennan (CTV News, Oct 7)

Stay in the Loop!