Much has been written about the impact of the pandemic on the Central London economy, and with good reason. Nowhere has been hit as hard, and nowhere is as consequential to the economic recovery. In parallel, the impact of a sustained reduction in commuting could be highly beneficial to local high streets. But where does that leave the places in between? The future of large town centres like Croydon and Crawley was the subject of a recent London First webinar on this very topic.
In a wide-ranging discussion that highlighted the importance of investment and long-term thinking, particularly in the areas of skills and infrastructure, a number of themes emerged:
- Maintaining public transport service levels. With travel patterns across outer London and the wider South East uncertain as we all work out what the “new normal” will look like, it is vital that public transport remains available and high quality both for those workers who are not able to choose to work from home, and those who are able to work remotely but are nervous about overcrowded spaces. For a fuller explanation of the economic risks, see this letter we sent to Government earlier in the year.
- Enabling international visitors to return. London is an international city and particularly around major airports like Gatwick, much of the economic activity in the surrounding area relies directly or indirectly on international visitors. Whilst recent easing of testing requirements, greater recognition of vaccines, and reduction in the red list are welcome advances, 2021 is set to be a worse year for London’s international connectivity than 2020. As set out in a recent joint letter with the Mayor, we need to see a real restriction-free green list for the lowest risk countries, travellers being allowed to use NHS tests, and a simplification of the passenger locator form.
- Focusing on quality and liveability. Anecdotal evidence suggests that businesses are looking to use space differently and Croydon has seen an increase in businesses making enquiries [for office space] in the area as a result. Many of these businesses are focusing on quality, sustainability, and a mix of uses that make the location decision attractive for their employees.
- Investing for long-term growth. Infrastructure remains a critical factor and places like Croydon – with a 12-minute rail connection into Victoria and easy links to Gatwick Airport – need to protect and enhance their existing assets. The private sector plans for investment are encouraging with Gatwick Airport pushing ahead with plans to bring their northern runway into routine use and increase capacity. Despite short-term projections showing that the airport is unlikely to reach pre-pandemic levels for another 3 – 4 years, there is little doubt that London’s airports will be straining at the seams by the end of this decade. But questions were raised about public sector investment – as highlighted in our Comprehensive Spending Review submission – particularly in relation to providing for radial journeys in Outer London and the journeys that cross the boundary of London and the South East.
- Working in partnership to develop the right skills in the right places. Ensuring that training providers are developing skills relevant to the local economy remains a challenge – not least for individuals seeking to bridge the gap between FE and HE – but there are examples from across the region of the success that can be delivered when employers are brought into the process at an early stage and plans are made well ahead of the labour market need. But this is only possible when businesses are making stable, long-term investments.
The panel for this webinar was: Simon Dixon (Partner and Global Transportation Leader, Deloitte), Robin Dobson (UK Director of Development and Project Management, Hammerson), Cédric Laurier (Chief Technical Office, Gatwick Airport), Frances Rutter (Chair, Coast 2 Capital LEP Skills Board), and Cllr Manju Shahul-Hameed (Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety, and Business Recovery, London Borough of Croydon).
You can watch the full webinar here and find out more about Gatwick Airport’s plans to bring their northern runway into routine use here. There’s an opportunity to have your say on their proposals too, with a deadline of 1 December.