On Tuesday 23rd October, WQBA’s Board of Directors gave the final critical sign off for the go-ahead of Waterloo Quarter’s extension across the Borough boundary into Southwark.

 

The aim of the expansion is for the BID to cover the natural commercial area of Waterloo and offer a coherent seamless service to businesses regardless of the borough in which they are based. Currently, with the Lambeth/Southwark boundary cutting through the middle of the area, WQBA’s services are forced to stop half way along roads such as The Cut, Waterloo Road and Webber Street, often resulting in imbalance of service provision within one street. For example, in the past Christmas lights have stopped half way along The Cut, and in Short Street parking regulations differ on either side of the road.

 

This map shows the existing Waterloo BID area in Lambeth (red), and the proposed new area in Southwark (blue).

Consultation with businesses in the new area is underway, outlining to them the concept of the BID and assessing their concerns and issues regarding the area as a place to do business. Once  initial consultation is completed, the feedback and suggestions collected will be inputted into the final BID proposal, in preparation for the ballot taking place in early 2008.