The capital is stirring. Big jumps in people using the travel network, signs the economy started to pick up in March and the sights and sounds of people enjoying al fresco drinks and dinner.
But there is a long way to go to secure London’s recovery, and the first item on the agenda for the next Mayor must be how to get people back into the city centre.
As we report today, business group London First has warned City Hall’s actions in the next few weeks will be critical in accelerating the capital’s recovery from Covid-19.
With polls suggesting Sadiq Khan is overwhelmingly likely to be re-elected, we need to hear much more from him on his plans to revive our city centre.
As the Standard has consistently called for, we need a proper plan for getting London going again and attract people back. Yet where are the big cultural celebrations or the plan to attract domestic tourism so the city does not empty out over August?
Our London Rising series — starting next week — brings together big names to uncover transformative ideas around how we can build back better.
Sadiq must step up and provide the impetus for a summer packed with reasons to come into town. He must work with councils, businesses and cultural insertions and give them what they need to attract footfall.
The more imaginative, the better. Nothing should be off the table.
