New West End Company, the Business Improvement District representing more than 800 businesses, has called for business rates reform, tougher action on organised crime and measures to increase visitor spending in a manifesto published to support a decade of growth in London’s West End.

The business group’s Open for Growth manifesto sets out three priorities covering business, international visitors and public safety. Its proposals include a national multi-agency taskforce on organised retail and acquisitive crime, a visitor economy spending incentive and a commitment to reinvest any overnight visitor levy in the areas where it is generated.

New West End Company said the West End contributes 3 per cent of UK economic output, generates £17 billion in tax each year and accounts for 8 per cent of all UK business rates. The organisation said the district supports more than 350,000 jobs and attracts more than 200 million visitors annually.

The organisation said its business rates proposals are intended to protect major stores that act as anchors for high streets and support surrounding independent retail, hospitality, leisure and cultural businesses. It is seeking changes to the tax and planning framework rather than direct government funding in most cases.

On public safety, New West End Company is calling for sustained visible neighbourhood policing, responsible use of technology and a coordinated national response to organised retail and acquisitive crime. The proposals are intended to support people shopping, working, visiting, investing and living in the district.

For international tourism, the organisation said restoring tax-free shopping should be considered, but proposed a new visitor economy spending incentive if that is not possible. It is also seeking trading hours that reflect customer behaviour and wants any overnight visitor levy to be proportionate and reinvested locally.

New West End Company chief executive Dee Corsi said: “The potential for growth and impact is exponential, however relies on a policy framework which supports West End businesses and is globally competitive.” She said the proposals would require cooperation with local and national government, the Mayor of London and public bodies including the Metropolitan Police.

The manifesto follows New West End Company’s Global Benchmarking Report, which ranked London last for policy competitiveness among 13 international cities. The organisation said the same research placed London among the global top five for culture, innovation, tourism and long-term economic potential.

M&S external affairs director Adam Hawksbee said: “For our stores to thrive, we need a tax system that supports growth and a West End that is safe, clean and welcoming to visitors from the UK and around the world.”

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