Facts and Figures

Our Area

  • There are over 1,000 seats for al-fresco dining in Leicester Square
  • 2.5 million people enjoy Leicester Square every week (330,000 per day)
  • There are currently 6 footflow cameras monitoring the Heart of London area
  • Saturday is the busiest day for footflow, with an average of 544,000 visitors in 2009
  • Weekend footflow from Feb-Sept 2009 increased by 20% compared to 2008
  • Weekly footflow totals in 2009 increased by 13% compated to 2008
  • Other weekday totals: Mon-Thur 350,000 / Fri 470,000 / Sun 360,000
  • 80,000 people walk along Coventry Street every day

 

Our Businesses

  • We look after 175 businesses in an area covering approximately 750,000 sq. ft.
  • We have 7 cinemas, hosting 50 film premieres a year, totalling 34 screens and nearly 10,000 seats
  • We have 5 banks, 4 casinos, 2 colleges, 1 library and 1 car park
  • We have 9 theatres, operated by 5 groups, totalling nearly 7,500 seats
  • We have 52 cafes and restaurants (30% of our businesses)
  • We have 23 bars, pubs and nightclubs (13% of our businesses)
  • We have 26 retailers (15% of our businesses)
  • We have 25 offices (14% of our businesses)
  • We have 4 hotels, with a total of 400 rooms, with plans for at least 3 more in the area
  • 83 businesses are Company Members, giving them the right to vote at our AGM

 

Our Company

  • Our 2007 Renewal Ballot saw us achieve a 86% 'yes' vote (89% by Rateable Value), with a 63% turnout
  • Our initial 2004 ballot resulted in a 71% 'yes' vote, with a 62% turnout
  • We have 18 company directors; 8 representing local businesses, 7 property owners, 1 Chair, 1 Chief Executive and 1 member of Westminster City Council
  • Our total levy income (2008-9) was £717,000; property owner investment accounts for 25% of our total budget
  • There are now 68 Business Improvement Districts in the UK, including 17 in London
  • We sent 113 e-communications in 2008-9, an average of 9 per month
  • Hits for westendlondon.com averaged at 16,300 per month during Apr-Sept 2009

 

Our fight against crime and anti-social behaviour

  • 60 businesses are members of the CCTV Radio Link; in 2008, 66 arrests were made as a direct result.
  • Operations 'Noel' and 'Glorious' led to over 700 arrests
  • 2008 Private Hire enforcement led to 32 arrests, 35 vehicles seized, 25 taxis off the road and 22 licenses revoked
  • 2008 Illegal Street Trading operations led to 111 carts being seized, and 28 flower seller seizures
  • 2008 Safe Nights led to 9.2% less Actual Bodily Harm, 31.6% less Grievous Bodily Harm and 21.8% less assaults in the Leicester Square area
  • 2008 Safe Nights achieved 54 dispersal orders, 63 arrests, 277 extra officers in the area, 437 searches and 1,852 alcohol seizures