Please note the Downtown London office is closed for the duration of the lockdown. All staff will be working remotely and will continue to be available via phone or email.
Increased Foot Patrol Presence Downtown
The London Foot Patrol have announced that they will be increasing presence in the Downtown effective immediately. The focus will be on evening hours and run throughout the night. Patrols will be focused on areas identified their Crime Analysts as having higher incidences of property damage including break and enters, attempted break and enters, smashed windows, thefts from motor vehicles, etc. The Foot Patrol also recognize the impact of vagrancy and trespassing on downtown businesses and remain committed to working with the various social agencies to find shelter.
The London Police is offering a free audit of businesses with a Crime Prevention Officer in the hopes of deterring criminal activity. This service is free of charge. If you would like to book an audit, please contact Sgt Mike Pottruff below.
Downtown Champion Task Force
In 2021, we have decided to merge the Marketing Committee with Public Realm/Activations. We will be calling this new program the Downtown Champion Task Force. This group will be made up of downtown business owners, community partners, and industry experts. We will work together to share ideas, create new marketing campaigns and events/activations. The task force will be action-oriented and all members will be encouraged to contribute ideas. The Downtown Champion Task Force is a positive platform where we roll up our sleeves to come up with exciting initiatives that add vibrancy to our community.
If you are interested in joining the task force please email colleen@downtownlondon.ca or lisa@downtownlondon.ca ASAP.
New, Financial Support Available to Downtown Businesses
Downtown London has launched the Endurance Grant in an effort to support members through this difficult time. This is a one-time grant to help members with costs incurred to improve business safety/security, beautification, cleanliness, health and safety requirements, COVID-19 related marketing costs, businesses signage costs, activations, restaurant take-out containers and restaurant delivery costs.
All questions and applications should be directed to Vicki via email at vicki@downtownlondon.ca.
EmployerOne Survey
The EmployerOne Survey was established in 2013 by the WPDB as a yearly survey of businesses and workforce needs. It is used by employment services, HR and hiring professionals, advisory groups, research groups, service practitioners, and now, due to the effects of COVID-19, recovery committees to drive new programs, system improvement, and innovation. The survey asks questions about employers’ current workforce, hires and separations, recruitment methods as well as education, skills and training needs over the last 12 months. Deadline: Tuesday February 3, 2021.
Downtown London Marketplace
E-commerce has become more and more popular in recent years, and with the unfortunate lockdown, it is more important than ever. Downtown London has built an online marketplace where downtown businesses can list their products (or gift cards!) free of charge. There is absolutely no cost to businesses to participate.
Local Loot – Subscription Box Program by Elizabeth Noel
The team at Elizabeth Noel had teamed up with several local entrepreneurs and will be offering 4 subscription boxes a year to showcase local businesses and artisans in the 519 and 26 area. The contents of the contents of the boxes will exceed the buyers purchase price. Each box will contain 6-8 quality items in a range of categories such as beauty, fashion, home decor, arts, as well as, health and wellness. Along with products there will be selected gift certificates and added value offers to encourage local business to be at top of mind when subscribers need to make future purchases. Funnelling shoppers away from big box conglomerates is, and will be, more vital than ever.
There is also a philanthropic component to this project. Each box will have a small portion of the profits donated to a local charity. The first donation is earmarked for the London food bank. Each future run of boxes will have another worthy local charity targeted.
To create added buzz, each season, one box will be randomly packed with a prize of a London or London area experience. For the inaugural box, the London Armories is offering a night in their gorgeous hotel. This prize will be rounded off a with meal for two in a local restaurant, along with a box of local business products waiting for them in their hotel room.
If you would like to get involved in the subscription box project please reach out to Veronica via email at elizabethnoelltd@gmail.com