LONDON BRIDGE BID Shaping London Bridge: The Impact of Team London Bridge, a Business Improvement District
- Donald Campbell
- Sep 16
- 6 min read
  | Nadia has been involved with BIDs since establishing the Newtown Improvement District, Johannesburg’s Cultural Precinct, and has been managing Team London Bridge (TLB) since 2007. From major regeneration to responsible business programmes, Nadia has developed and implemented the broad spectrum of services that BIDs offer, while steering them through pivotal moments in their lifecycles. Nadia manages a cohesive executive team and represents TLB on the boards of key local and pan-London bodies. Don is Head of Marketing and Comms, Team London Bridge. His experience in place marketing has been formed across a variety of sectors. At Team London Bridge his role has focused on moulding the identity of the area as a business and visitor destination, attracting inward investment and visitors to London Bridge, promoting services and experiences to local employees, and communicating change. |
Nadia and Don outline the evolution of the London Bridge BID and the wealth of initiatives it instigates and support to business communities. The BID has helped build “resilience through partnership and preparedness.” |
20 years ago, organisations in London Bridge started conversations about how best to manage the area through a period of redevelopment while continuing to thrive and grow as a business district. They decided on establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) - a model from North America then only recently introduced in the UK, by holding a successful ballot of local businesses and setting up Team London Bridge.
A BID is a defined area where organisations come together to invest in local improvements, services, and projects that enhance the district for the businesses themselves, as well as their employees, residents, and visitors. Funded by a levy on local business rates, BIDs drive economic growth, sustainability, and community engagement. Team London Bridge, the BID for the London Bridge area, has been instrumental in transforming this striking part of London into a dynamic, thriving, and forward-thinking destination.
The London Bridge area: A historic and cultural gem
London Bridge, in the London Borough of Southwark, is one of the most striking areas of the capital, rich in history, culture, and architectural marvels. Home to landmarks such as The Shard, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and on its border, Southwark Cathedral, the area offers some of the most impressive views along the River Thames. Its cultural heritage is further enhanced by Borough Market, Vinegar Yard, and Bermondsey Street—bustling with a mix of high-end restaurants, casual eateries, and innovative food startups. This vibrant setting makes London Bridge a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
"Is life better in London Bridge thanks to the BID? Absolutely, yes."
Cross-sector local investment
Over the past five years, Team London Bridge has invested £7m into the area through BID levy funding, with an additional £3m generated through partnership, directly to support services and projects. This £10m investment has driven economic growth, improved infrastructure, and ensured London Bridge remains a vibrant and safe district for businesses and visitors alike.
London Bridge is a cross-sector area, home to national head offices of global corporations, a university campus, cultural organisations and landmarks, a huge transport interchange, one of London’s most famous hospitals – Guy’s, - local government, and has around 350 businesses. As a result, the local agenda is wide ranging. Priorities differ and change. However, the business community in this central London district is always aligned in their commitment and ambition to provide high quality services and projects together, be it additional street cleaning or leading the community in sustainable change.
Transformative strategic development
Team London Bridge has spearheaded a range of visionary strategies shaping the area’s identity, sustainability, and future development. These include:
The London Bridge Plan (2016)
London Bridge Culture Strategy (2018)
Responsible Business Strategy (2020)
Net Zero Routemap (2022)
Green Space Action Plan (2024)
Health-Led Approach to Urban Places Framework (2025).
These initiatives have progressed agendas including business growth, championing culture, increasing cycling, advocating good corporate social responsibility practices and amplifying the results, increasing green spaces, improving climate resilience, and ensuring London Bridge remains a dynamic and forward-thinking area.
Giving businesses a voice
Team London Bridge has ensured that the voice of businesses is heard in planning key local developments, including the construction of The Shard and the redevelopment of London Bridge Station. The London Bridge Plan has guided sustainable development, preserving the area’s unique character while fostering innovation.
Commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of Team London Bridge’s work. It’s driven by the local businesses and is something that differentiates London Bridge from many other business districts in the capital. While the businesses themselves are at different stages of their sustainability journey, they can all buy into area wide goals, such as being a net zero district by 2030, and celebrate achievements together to create an environment of cooperation and momentum. District wide projects range from things like waste consolidation and cargo bike delivery schemes, to working with large landowners to investigate a district heat network together, potentially sourcing heat from the River Thames.
Achievements have included:
Seven new public gardens to help adapt to climate change
Helping over 200 SE1 businesses switch to cargo bikes for deliveries
Engaging 50 businesses to sign the Decarbonisation Charter, aligning with the Net Zero Routemap.
Improved safety and security
Security has been significantly enhanced in the area by Team London Bridge, funding two full-time police officers, one from the Metropolitan Police and the other from British Transport Police, who are dedicated to addressing business concerns within the BID boundary. This proactive approach has strengthened crime response and is helping reduce the number of offences recorded locally, even the challenge of retail theft that is mirrored across the country. Overseen by a dedicated Director of Security and Community Partnership, the relationships between businesses and law enforcement bodies are strong and cooperative, making the area safer for all.
Investing in community projects
Since 2006, the Team London Bridge-convened Building Bridges Task Group has invested close to £1m into community initiatives. In addition, every year, the London Bridge business community annually collects over 3,000 Christmas gift donations for local charities, fostering a strong sense of social responsibility. Social impact is something that this business community and employees here have always prioritised. Such is their commitment to London Bridge, people will volunteer locally and take a day to help out planting a new parklet and their employers are more than happy for them to do this. The number of ethically aware organisations in the London Bridge continues to drive this field of work on, and has helped form a set of values that Team London Bridge adheres to and advocates on its behalf.
Transforming the local environment
The BID has delivered over 4,000 sq m of new urban greening across a number of sites - equivalent to the size of a new urban park. By reusing plants from the Chelsea Flower Show and maintaining green spaces, Team London Bridge has enhanced the area’s sustainability and visual appeal, providing new spaces for people to socialise and enjoy the increasing biodiversity. Establishing and maintaining these spaces is a key element of delivering a place that encourages healthy lifestyles and provides opportunities for exercise or relaxing.
Championing local businesses and culture
Through digital campaigns, social media competitions, and events, the BID has spotlighted local businesses and cultural initiatives. A local loyalty and promotional initiative, the London Bridge DealCard, is one of the longest running and most popular offerings from Team London Bridge. Many local employees use it daily, and businesses engage it to launch new lines and build relationships with the 50,000+ office workers.
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London Bridge thrives as a cultural hub, hosting art installations, street performances, and festivals that bring the community together and celebrate the district’s diversity. Events produced, programmed or sponsored by Team London Bridge like the Hip Hop Weekender and Medi-Culture Festival have brought fresh energy to the community, celebrating London Bridge’s diverse and unique identity.
The role of the BID is to amplify the work of local partners, bring opportunities to the table, and co-produce a calendar of events that make a great place to work, visit and live. Local employees have voiced that coming to work in London Bridge helps make them feel happy and energised; having access to a changing calendar of engaging activities is part of that. In many cases these are free of charge, which indeed helps a lot!
The future of London Bridge
Thanks to Team London Bridge, the area has seen unprecedented growth, innovation, and community engagement. It faces the same challenges as all urban areas – significant crime levels, adapting to hybrid working, climate crisis, political change, reductions in public funding, the high cost of living – but has built resilience through partnership and preparedness.
Opportunities will continue to open for regeneration, even in this already heavily developed area. Life sciences are driving a wave of investment south of London Bridge station, with King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation, already establishing a cluster of world-leading medical and research institutions.
Through strategic investment, sustainability initiatives, and cultural vibrancy, the BID has ensured that London Bridge remains one of the most exciting districts in London. With a people-first approach and a clear vision for the future, London Bridge continues to thrive as a world-class destination for business, culture, and community.
BIDs up and down the country are doing fantastic work to support their business communities. Democracy is key at this micro-local level and organisations in London Bridge will vote once again in 2025 to decide whether or not to continue these additional services funded by the BID levy for another five years. However, with this track record, the prospects looks extremely positive for Team London Bridge and its committed community.
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