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Welcome to Downtown London, Ontario - Your Next Business Destination!

Downtown is the City of London’s dynamic core offering everything from a vibrant cultural and entertainment district, scenic parks and beautiful Thames River views to a robust business ecosystem and diverse talent pool that offers an unparalleled quality of life. London’s downtown is one of the city’s rapidly growing areas with a population of 11,513, a 15.34% increase from 2023. Additionally, downtown has more than 1400 businesses, employing over 40,000 employees in the areas of retail, food service, hotels, personal care, medical technologies, creative and digital technologies and is a regional hub for financial, legal and professional services. Downtown is made up of a diverse mix of small, medium, and large businesses, from large employers, like Canada Life to award-winning small businesses, like London Bicycle Cafe.

Known as the Forest City and designated as UNESCO’s City of Music, the City of London’s downtown is home to four parks (Victoria Park, Harris Park, Ivey Park, and Ann Street Park) offering spaces for hiking, relaxing, and events. Downtown is a significant contributor to London’s reputation as a City of Music, offering both large and small music venues (Canada Life Place, London Music Hall, Centennial Hall, Rosewood Room, The Holy Diver, Poacher’s Arms, Richmond Tavern, Toboggan Brewing Co and Winks) as well as hosting major cultural and musical festivals, such as Rock the Park in Harris Park and Sunfest in Victoria Park. With hundreds of thousands of visitors downtown each year and a diverse population that includes young families, seniors, newcomers, immigrants, students, and employees, Downtown London stands out as one of the city’s most unique and exciting places. It offers one-of-a-kind shopping, dining, and cultural experiences, reflecting the vibrant and inclusive spirit of the community.

Message from City of London, Mayor Josh Morgan

“Welcome to the Forest City and UNESCO's City of Music! London is one of the largest urban centres in Southwestern Ontario, offering businesses limitless opportunities for growth and success. We are excited that you are here to learn more about our growing and diverse downtown - the vibrant heart and pride of our city! London's downtown has a diverse economy with strengths in post secondary education and research, life sciences, financial, legal and professional services, creative technologies and digital media, scientific and technical services and a diverse array of retail, culture, accommodations and food services.

Our downtown has one of Canada's fastest growing music scenes, is home to numerous sports and cultural events, has some of the City’s largest employers and where a diverse mix of residents, students, professionals, and tourists come together to help create a thriving environment for any business looking for an office, retail, dining, arts, and cultural location. With high foot traffic, excellent visibility, and a supportive network through the Downtown London Business Association, businesses are perfectly positioned to succeed. It is through the collective efforts of downtown businesses and their work with community partners that enhances culture, vibrancy and economic prosperity, not just for downtown but our entire city. The City of London is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment, offering resources, and support to help you find the ideal commercial location and expedite your business set-up in downtown. We can’t wait to welcome you to our community to become part of London’s bright future.”

One of the Fastest Growing Canadian Cities

London is the fastest growing city in Ontario and the 4th fastest growing city in Canada, that strikes the perfect balance between big-city opportunity and small-town charm. As one of Canada’s largest urban hubs, strategically located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario between Toronto and Detroit, London has a thriving population of just over 543,000 people, and is one of the most affordable mid to large sized cities to live, work, and invest in. London offers unparalleled access to major markets and a highly skilled workforce from local post-secondary institutions, Western University and Fanshawe College. London is a city of innovation, entrepreneurship, and possibility with its strong economic foundation and business friendly environment, making it an ideal location for companies of all sizes.

Downtown London! Competitive Advantage for Business

Businesses located in London’s downtown are also supported and backed by the Downtown London Business Association (also known as Downtown London!). Working closely with our business community, Downtown London offers a variety of services and programs including: supporting City Hall to enhance downtown’s streetscapes and public realm beyond the responsibility of the municipality, promoting and marketing downtown businesses, working with partners to deliver downtown events and activations, offering resources, business networking opportunities, and being the champion of downtown businesses to ensure their success. Your success is our success and we look forward to welcoming you and helping your business become a key part of Downtown London’s exciting future.

Exclusive Downtown London Resources

Disclaimer

All information presented on this page is sourced from reliable reports and databases, including Environics, Statistics Canada, and Internal reports. For detailed information, please contact us at info@downtownlondon.ca