Many Transport for London (TfL) business tenants are suffering economic hardship due to the pandemic. These include businesses in London’s iconic railway arches.
Today the London Assembly agreed a motion calling for the Mayor and Government to provide more support and a plan for when they will receive it.
Emma Best AM, who proposed the original motion said:
“The Mayor needs to urgently support our unique businesses across TfL who’ve been hit so hard by the pandemic. From those within the London Underground network to those across the wider TfL estate.
“These businesses represent the fabric of our capital. Londoners who’ve built success through sheer hard-work, determination and entrepreneurship.
“I hope the Mayor listens to this call today and intervenes to gives our tenants the support they so desperately need."
Elly Baker AM, who proposed the amended motion said:
“We all know that small and medium sized businesses have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic, and their struggle to stay afloat and rebuild continues.
“It has been positive to see City Hall and TfL comprehensively support and constructively engage with businesses renting out railway arches in the capital during this difficult time.
“I am now backing calls from the Guardians of the Arches campaign for the Government and the Mayor to work together to ensure these businesses are given sustained financial help to thrive again long into the future as London slowly recovers”.
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly is immeasurably concerned for Transport for London (TfL) business tenants who, due to the pandemic, are fighting to save previously successful businesses.
This Assembly notes that throughout the pandemic, TfL has supported business tenants in a variety of ways, including:
- Full rent relief;
- Awarding direct rent credits;
- Providing more time to pay down pre-existing arrears;
- Giving support in managing rates claims; and
- Allowing tenants to move from quarterly to monthly rent payments to allow for easier budgeting.
In addition, TfL has not increased rent levels for small and medium-sized businesses even where rent reviews have been due. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor for Business Rajesh Agrawal and TfL have met with Guardian of the Arches and continues to support them. This includes a forthcoming meeting with Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport.
Ultimately, getting London moving again will be the best way to properly support the recovery of these businesses and of businesses across the capital. This Assembly notes that the Guardian of the Arches have also expressed concern at the lack of funding from the Government to TfL which has impacted their businesses.
We call on the Mayor to:
- Meet personally with Guardians of the Arches leaders and businesses;
- Lay out how and when promised support for TfL tenants will be delivered;
- Provide a 5-year plan for tenant support, given he is on record stating it will take half a decade for London footfall to return to normal; and
- Commit to refurbishing and renovating units that are no longer of an acceptable tenable standard, including Net Zero Carbon requirements.
Furthermore, this Assembly joins the call from the Guardians of the Arches calls on the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to work together with the Mayor of London to provide TfL with the long-term funding that they need to invest in businesses in London’s railway arches.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 20 votes for and 0 against.
- Emma Best AM, who proposed the original motion, and Elly Baker AM, who proposed the amended motion are available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.