Following-on from our Covid-19 pandemic recovery strategy update in May (found here), I’m pleased to share a few updates on progress to date.
Footfall in the City of London
Footfall for visitors and workers coming to the Square Mile continues to grow steadily in 2025, surpassing 10.8 million in May, a 7% increase on the previous year. Daily averages also continue to show consistent growth compared to previous years, with the average footfall on a Thursday in May exceeding 500,000 people. This is the second month in 2025 to show this (alongside Thursdays in March); no weekday average exceeded this in either 2023 or 2024.
June 2024-May 2025 Footfall: 123,038,325 – Compared to previous 12 months: +9%.
May 2025 Footfall: 10,875,370 – Compared to April 2023: +7% – Compared to April 2024: +3%
Destination Advisory Board
The Destination Advisory Board – the public/private sounding board for the Destination City programme – held its third meeting in June. Here, the Board gave feedback on our ‘pitch’ to relocating businesses and considered how the Square Mile can ‘earn the commute’ of its record 678,000 workers. The Board engaged in a valuable discussion on advancing these objectives, alongside the broader implementation of the Destination City programme.
City Planning Team Wins Big at National Planning Awards
The City Corporation is proud of our award-winning Planning Team, recognised at the prestigious National Planning Awards for their outstanding work in shaping a dynamic, inclusive Square Mile:
#1 in Promoting Economic Growth – for advancing the Destination City Programme.
#1 in Best Use of Heritage in Placemaking – for the London Museum Project.
#1 in Fostering a Healthy Town Centre – for inclusive, accessible public spaces.
#1 in London Planning Permission of the Year – our second consecutive win!
A fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition!
Finsbury Circus Gardens Reopens Following Major Transformation
London’s first public park and the Square Mile’s largest green space has reopened following a major City of London Corporation-led transformation. The upgraded, Grade II-listed site now features improved access, more seating, a larger lawn, and biodiversity-boosting planting with 12 tree species and over 19,000 plants and bulbs.
Our green spaces play a vital role in making the Square Mile a welcoming and attractive place to live, work, and visit – delivering on our vision for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable City.
City Beerfest: Raise a Glass for a Good Cause
Back for it’s 11th year, City Beerfest has become one of the Square Mile’s most popular events. Partnering with the Worshipful Company of Brewers, it unites City workers, locals, and visitors to enjoy top beers, food, and live music in historic Guildhall Yard.
All proceeds are donated to The Lord Mayor’s Appeal in aid of its two partner charities, MQ Mental Health Research and Homewards. To find out more about the event and book tickets, visit thecityofldn.com/citybeerfest
City Highlights: June in the Square Mile
Get active this summer with the London Festival of Sports! Enjoy table tennis, padel, and more at pop-up activations across iconic City locations. Find out more, here.
The Summer Sounds Music Festival
This is a free, new event at Citypoint Plaza from 30 June to 3 July. For four days, enjoy live music from great names like Ronnie Scott’s All Stars Band and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, plus street food and craft beer—all in the heart of the Square Mile.