Over the next five years the City aims to help visitors, workers and residents benefit more from its culture and heritage, and in doing that boost its economy.
By David Wilcox
Over the next five years the City aims to help visitors, workers and residents benefit more from its culture and heritage, and in doing that boost its economy. Last week the Corporation agreed a new Cultural Strategy, developed after two years research and consultation.
Well-known attractions like the Barbican Arts Centre, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and St Paul’s will soon be joined by the London Museum.
But the Strategy emphasises there are many other delights, including dozens of Wren churches, Livery Halls, Roman remains, gardens, historic courtyards and alleyways.
Brendan Barns, chair of Culture, Heritage and Libraries introduced the Strategy to councillors by saying that after 25 years there’s still no sign to the Roman amphitheatre that can be viewed beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery.
“We’re not short of culture, we’re short of people knowing about it. Culture has flourished here for almost 2,000 years, long before we thought it needed a strategy.
“The strategy rests on two beliefs.
“First, culture supports our success as a global centre for financial and professional services. It attracts talent and investment, increases football and makes the City somewhere people want to work, visit and return to.
“Second, culture matters in its own right. It is how we express, share and understand our lives. It sustains our heritage, crafts and collective memory and strengthens our identity and belonging”.
One of the Strategy’s priorities is to improve street-level signage and develop discovery walks. It will also map and promote public toilets, seating, picnic spots and blue badge parking. There will be outdoor art, pop-ups and street activities, as well as more co-ordinated promotion of cultural programmes.
The City Corporation already invests £145 million a year supporting institutions including the London Museum, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
There’s no new money for the strategy. Instead the emphasis is on developing partnerships to make the most of existing assets, large and small. In 2017 the City Corporation launched a Culture Mile initiative embracing the Barbican Arts Centre and other attractions between Farringdon and Moorgate.
The project was wound up in 2023 – although a Business Improvement District for the area took on the name.
The City now is now aiming to develop a Cultural Square Mile.
References: City opens up on its Cultural Strategy – blog post / Cultural Strategy documents / See also Why Smithfield and Clerkenwell deserve a new visitor centre
