Core Area Construction Dollars Program
Due to Public Health restrictions, our office remains closed. Please email vicki@downtownlondon.ca with the total number of construction dollars to be handed in. All construction dollar amounts must be emailed by January 17th, 2022. This is the LAST day for redemption. Arrangements for pick up for these dollars will be scheduled once our office is back open.
Downtown Dollar Gift Card Survey
The Downtown Dollar Gift Card program was launched in September of 2021 in hopes of encouraging local spending. We would like to hear how the program is operating and would appreciate any additional comments you may have about the program. If you are interested in signing up or hearing more information about the gift cards, please reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca to learn more.
Core Area Garbage Collection Survey
The City would like to hear your thoughts on the garbage collection system that has been in place since July 2021. Please share with them how the changes to the Core Area garbage collection have impacted your business or property, and then please add any other comments you might have.
City of London Spotlight Program
The spotlight program is a new City initiative that supports safety and security in the Core Area and deters criminal activity. Through the program businesses in the Core register to receive a Spotlight program sticker to display in their storefront window. This sticker identifies that there are cameras actively monitoring the storefront area. Learn more about the Spotlight program at london.ca/spotlight.
Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
The Ontario government has introduced a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program to support businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs. A full list of eligible business types will be available through a program guide in mid-January 2022. Online applications for this program will open in mid-January 2022. Payments to eligible businesses will be retroactive to December 19, 2021.
If you have questions about the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, call 1-866-668-8297 (1-866-ONT-TAXS).
MTSD Retail Business Educational Outreach
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is assisting all businesses in understanding and coming into compliance with the rules and regulations pertaining to the REOPENING OF ONTARIO ACT (ROA). With this initiative, they have put together the general compliance rules and specific rules to the various industries including restaurants, personal services, malls, and retail. This is important information that will help keep Ontarians safe during these difficult times. Compliance Assistance Officers may be visiting your businesses in the lead up to the busy holiday season and we want to ensure all businesses are educated and compliant with these regulations.
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!
FREE Parking!
Citi Plaza offers 1 hour FREE parking Monday through Friday and 2 hours on the weekend. The City of London has extended the free parking program in Downtown London for the time being.
On the HonkMobile app, Londoners can use the promo code ‘CORE’ to receive two hours of free parking. This is only valid for on-street and municipal parking and excludes privately managed spots.
Drivers are still able to park for free up to one hour along Dundas Place with no code required. Anyone not able to use the HonkMobile app can also phone Parking Services at 519-661-4537 to arrange the discount.
STEPS TO THE DOWNTOWN DOLLAR SYSTEM UPDATE
As a Downtown London business, you have the opportunity to accept Downtown Dollars and Construction dollars as a form of payment. These dollars can only be spent in the Downtown Core and Old East Village, encouraging local spending and bringing people to our boundary!
Do you already accept Downtown Dollars?
We are moving to a gift card system. There are a few steps you need to complete to ensure you will be ready to assist customers shopping with the new gift cards. We are planning to release these this summer.
- Process a transaction with the details provided in this link as you would a regular credit transaction. (You can type in these numbers on your debit/credit machine)
- This is a test account, so the transaction will come up as DECLINED. This is a good thing!
- Enter your information on the form in the same link that will ask for the business’s name, location, phone number, and your signature. Submit this form once it is completed. It will ask for your email after you have clicked submit.
- This will send an email to your account from “Adobe Sign” confirming that your virtual signature was your own. You need to click CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL in this message for your sign up to be complete.
*If you would like downtown dollar gift cards to be used as a transaction method on your online platform/e-commerce site, simply attempt a purchase with the same numbers as step #1. It will also decline and successfully set up your system.
More Information:
Payment is automatically deposited into your account when a customer makes a purchase using the gift card, much like a debit or credit transaction. You no longer will have to hold on to paper bills to bring to the office for redemption. Paper bills will still be in circulation and can be accepted as we continue to phase them out.
Should you have any questions or concerns, or would like to join this program, please contact either Colleen (colleen@downtownlondon.ca) or Vicki (vicki@downtownlondon.ca).
Financial Assistance
Click here for a list of curated grants and loans available to small businesses from a variety of sources (Federal, Provincial, Municipal, Private).