Agenda item

City Surveyor to be heard.

The City Surveyor provided the Committee with an oral update in respect of recent property activities; the City Surveyor advised that Fortnum and Mason had signed a lease for the ground floor of the Royal Exchange and a planning application had been made to make changes to the flooring.

The Committee noted that footfall had previously been an issue for the Royal Exchange and observed that the arrival of Fortnum and Mason was expected to provide an increased draw to potential customers. It was suggested that digital signage could be utilised to encourage visitors and increased footfall to the building, as well as advertising forthcoming Gresham College lectures. The Chairman observed that the screens and digital signage used at the Barbican Centre might provide a useful example of the type of technology which could be utilised.  

A Member noted that, at a previous meeting of the Committee, a request had been made for improved lighting within the Royal Exchange to facilitate better visibility of the murals within the building and asked if there had been any progress on this matter. The Deputy Chairman explained that Oxford Properties had agreed not to take this forward due to the complexity of the project.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the update.