Agenda item

Chief Officers' Reopening Update

Chief Officers to be heard.

Minutes:

Chief Officers were heard in respect of the updates on re-opening City attractions and services. The following updates were noted:

 

Director of Innovation and Growth

The Corporation’s venues had seen a gradual growth in visitor numbers. Guildhall Art Gallery saw its highest visitor numbers on 12 September. The City Information Centre is open for two days a week. The Roman Bath House remained closed after a trial reopening due to negotiations over increased operational costs to ensure it could be run on a cost-neutral basis. Since its launch in June, the Outdoor Arts Programme reported that events and activations in the City had attracted audiences of over 20,000, excluding outdoor exhibitions, and had received funding of £525,000.

 

There have been a variety of marketing initiatives for City of London destinations, focusing on attracting domestic visitors. Further initiatives are planned, focused on attracting City workers back to the workplace.

 

Consultation on a strategic destination review had started, aiming to deliver on a vision for the Square Mile to become the world’s most attractive destination for workers, residents and visitors.

 

A Member commented that they had noticed more visitors in the western side of the City. They expressed concern over empty shops in the New Change Shopping Centre, and asked if the Corporation would be able to use its influence to install cultural exhibits in the empty window space. In reply, the Culture and Visitor Development Director said they were aware of this issue. It is difficult to solve in the short-term, although opportunities are sent out to the owners of properties, while in the long run the strategic destination review would look at how to support situations such as this.

 

Head of Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge had a positive summer, with visitor numbers rising from 4,500 on the week prior to the start of the school holidays to 11,500 per week at the peak in August. These numbers have dropped since the return of schools, but numbers are still high. The Tower Bridge team have achieved a record 93% in the annual Visit England assessment, meaning Tower Bridge is eligible for accolades moving forward.

 

The Monument remained closed after the removal of legal social distancing measures. There were re-opening pilots in August and September, with mixed numbers of daily visitors. The numbers make it unfeasible, from an income generation perspective, to fully reopen. Consideration has been given to weekend or school holiday-only openings until visitor numbers recover.

 

Curator of Keats House

Keats House reopened over the summer and is open three days a week. The House is receiving visitors, but numbers have declined from over the summer. Online and live in-person events are being offered.

 

Director of the London Metropolitan Archives

London Metropolitan Archives has been open since 10 May and has had a full set of bookings throughout this time. It is about to enter the next stage of reopening with the removal of booking restrictions from 4 October. Guildhall Library and The Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre are extending their opening hours in October and are slowly rebuilding visitor numbers.

 

Head of Barbican and Community Libraries

All libraries were reopened on 19 July at pre-pandemic opening hours. Footfall is increasing week-on-week. In-library events have begun to restart, with events for children beginning on 20 September.