âLondon's high streets and neighbourhoods [are] absolutely alive with activity â footfall, spending patterns, movement patterns. These aren't abstract numbers. They're the daily rhythms of a city of 9 million people. That's why data matters. It allows us to understand these rhythms.â â Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration & the Fire Service
On Tuesday 10 December, we came together at City Hall for the second High Streets Data Day, bringing data enthusiasts, policy professionals, and local partners into one room to explore how data drives impact for Londonâs high streets. The day showcased how shared access to spend and footfall data can improve our understanding and action on remarkable range of projects â from Londonâs growing polycentricity to the impact of major cultural events, and from local tourism trends to waste management operations.
A huge thank you to all our speakers, the Data Science Incubator teams, and everyone who joined us!
Flick through below for some highlights and photos from the day. We have also uploaded a recording of the day on YouTube, which we will refer to through the rest of this announcement: HSDS Data Day Recording - 10 December 2024
(If you attended, let us know your feedback from the day â share your comments and suggestions through a short survey: Data Day Feedback Form)
Setting the Scene (timestamp: 00:00) The day began with a welcome from Lucinda Turner, Assistant Director of Planning & Regeneration (GLA) / Director of Spatial Planning (TfL). Lucinda reflected on the High Streets Data Serviceâs evolution from its pandemic origins to a dynamic partnership, underscoring the importance of using data and collaboration to understand Londonâs challenges and opportunities.
"Pooling resources has enabled us to build something that, frankly, none of us could achieve alone." - Lucinda Turner, Assistant Director of Planning & Regeneration (GLA) / Director of Spatial Planning (TfL)
Craig Campbell, Programme Manager of the High Streets Data Service, introduced the agenda and highlighted how the diverse range of attendeesâboroughs, BIDs, GLA staff, data suppliers, academics, consultancies, and strategic authoritiesâreflects the collective effort to improve high streets.
Activating Local Data Stories: the HSDS Incubator Programme (timestamp: 14:15) Before the Data Science Incubator teams took the stage, Lauren Wool, HSDS Data Scientist and Incubator programme lead reminded us of the timeless power of data to drive change. Lauren opened with the famous story of John Snow and his spatial analysis of the 1854 cholera outbreak in Soho. By mapping cases around a contaminated water pump on Broad Street, but also using on-the-ground knowledge of his local neighbourhood, Snow visualised the problem and compelled policymakers to act, saving lives.
Lauren highlighted how the High Streets Data Service and the Data Science Incubator embody the same principles: combining local knowledge with data for local impact.
âHigh streets are a little bit different 170 years later, but weâre asking the same questions: What issues are London streets facing? Can we use data to support what we already know about our local communities? Can we turn that into local impact?â - Lauren Wool, HSDS Data Scientist, GLA
The first part of the day celebrated the outstanding work of six borough and BID teams, who shared their findings on how data can improve decision-making and enhance local outcomes. Each project offered a unique lens on pressing issues faced by Londonâs high streets (*presenter):
1. Understanding International Footfall Trends in South Bank â South Bank BID (timestamp: 23:36)
*Kelly Bliss, Senior Marketing Manager
Emily Stedman, Communications and Engagement Manager South Bank BID explored international visitor patterns, comparing seasonal fluctuations with other areas in central London. Their data revealed a significant shift in international footfall between summer and winter, prompting reflections on how to better support year-round tourism.
2.Cultural Spaces in City of London â City of London Corporation (timestamp: 29:38)
*Vipul Surwase, Research Assistant City of London investigated the impact of cultural spaces, like the 22 Bishopsgate viewing gallery, on local footfall. Their findings showed a 30% increase in footfall post-opening, highlighting the value these spaces in attracting visitors.
3.Hammersmith after Dark â Hammersmith & Fulham Council (timestamp: 32:50)
*Sam Ridley, Place Shaping Officer
*Logan Smith, Visitor Economy Officer Hammersmith & Fulham Council looked at the effect of events at the Hammersmith Apollo on town centre activity. While footfall around event days surged by nearly 80%, spending remained flat, raising questions about how to better capture economic benefits for local businesses.
4.Investigating the Surge in Fast Food Restaurants in Putney â Positively Putney BID (timestamp: 38:17)
*Nicola Grant, Executive Director
Svanitha Barlow, Business Engagement Manager Positively Putney BID examined the rapid growth of fast-food establishments and whether they were serving local demand. Their analysis revealed that while footfall and in-person spending have declined, delivery app usage has kept these businesses afloat.
"Local residents are spending in the fast food businesses in Putney â just not always in person." - Nicola Grant, Positively Putney BID
5.Using BT Footfall Data to Assist with Street Waste Complaints â Tower Hamlets Council (timestamp: 45:11)
*James Nolan, GIS Analyst
*Emmanuel Steadman, Senior Data Analyst
Fah-Hel Miah, Data Analyst The Tower Hamlets team tackled the boroughâs waste emergency, finding a clear positive correlation between high footfall and street waste complaints. Their data model now supports more targeted, efficient waste management interventions.
6.Patterns of Antisocial Behaviour in Elephant & Castleâs Nightlife â Southwark Council (timestamp: 52:34)
*Tom Rogers, Senior Strategy Officer
*Alan Kabalan, Strategy OfficerÂ
Libby Dunstan, Principal Strategy Officer
Chloe Alexis, Community Safety Officer Southwark Council explored patterns of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Elephant and Castleâs nightlife. Their spatial analysis revealed that ASB hotspots are concentrated around transport hubs, rather than nightlife venues.
Louise Duggan, Head of Regeneration at the GLA, celebrated the dayâs achievements, highlighting the role of data in shaping more resilient, vibrant high streets. (timestamp: 60:28)
âItâs clear from the projects today, that itâs more than just numbers on a page â itâs a tool for local insights and decision making. Itâs about making data actionable to help us better understand whatâs happening on the ground to make important, informed, impactful decisions.â - Louise Duggan, Head of Regeneration, GLA
Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and the Fire Service, reflected on the broader significance of data in planning Londonâs future. He spoke to the critical role of initiatives like the High Streets Data Service in delivering the Mayorâs priorities, from inclusive growth to sustainable regeneration. (timestamp: 66:26)
âEveryone in this room plays a vital role in shaping [the] future in your different roles and organisations. You're at the intersection of data and urban development, and we need your innovative thinking and creativity to inform how we turn the mayorâs ambitions, into reality. I encourage you to share ideas, form connections, and think about how we can continue to innovate together through the High Streets Data Service.â - Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and the Fire Service
(timestamp: 52:34)Craig Campbell, Programme Manager of the High Streets Data Service capped off the afternoon reflecting on the progress of the HSDS from its inception during Covid-19 to its place today as a mainstream tool for local placemaking.Â
Key highlights from this year have been expanding the membership to 35 members, including London & Partners, the first strategic London-wide authority to join. Data has been provided to 31 researchers and consultants working on behalf of borough and BID members.Â
Data from HSDS has driven interventions that are improving the lives of Londoners â including the expansion of opening hours of Lower Marsh Market in Waterloo, permanent improvements in nighttime infrastructure in Night Time Enterprise Zones (NTEZ), and future commissioning of public murals across London.
Looking ahead, Craig highlighted ambitions to expand the partnershipâs reach by bringing in the rest of Londonâs boroughs and BIDs to the service, deepening collaboration with academia, consultancies, and researchers, bringing in more strategic London-wide partners, expanding to the voluntary sector, and more.Â
âOur goal is to make the High Streets Data Service a shared evidence base, a truly pan London data asset for every organisation working across the high street spectrum.â - Craig Campbell, Programme Manager, High Streets Data Service, GLA
Collaboration in Action: HSDS Partner Showcase (with Q&A)#
The afternoon spotlighted innovative presentations from six partner organisations, showcasing how data and collaboration are addressing challenges and creating opportunities across London:
Stuart Bridgett, Finance Policy Manager, London Councils Stuart presented research on the changing spatial patterns of economic activity across London. By comparing pre- and post-pandemic data, the project highlights shifts from a centralised economy to emerging multiple hubs, providing insights for future planning and investment.
2. London Nightworker Classification (timestamp: 103:20)
Mikaella Mavrogeni, UCL Department of Geography Mikaella explored the geography of Londonâs night workers, who make up a quarter of the workforce. Using socio-economic, mobility, and employment data, the project identified areas requiring improvements in transport, lighting, and safety to better support the night-time economy.
3.Activating Data Through Community Research (timestamp: 112:48)
Nick Lancaster, Neighbourly Lab Nick showcased work in Haringeyâs Green Lanes, where geospatial data from the High Streets Data Service was combined with community-led research. Conducted during London Data Week 2024, the project highlighted the importance of integrating putting community members at the heart of interpreting data insights.
4.High Street & Town Centre Cluster Analysis (timestamp: 121:30)
*Rachel Humphries, HSDS Data Scientist (GLA) Rachel and Lauren introduced a new project combining HSDS data with city-wide datasets, such as demographic, economic, and transport data. The goal is to create multidimensional profiles for each high street and town centre, enabling effective benchmarking and cross-borough collaboration.
Claire Jones (London & Partners), Amanda Robinson & Mary-Helen Young (PRD) Claire, Amanda, and Mary-Helen presented London & Partners' plan to develop a world-first Visitor Data Trust. This initiative builds on existing visitor data from the High Streets Data Service and aims to provide in-depth, actionable insights on domestic and international visitor trends, supporting BIDs, boroughs and industry partners to make better decisions about the visitor economy.
6.Using Local Datasets for Peckham Digital Accelerator Zone (timestamp: 158:55)
Waitz Li, UAL Creative Computing Institute Waitz introduced the Peckham Digital Accelerator Zone, an initiative teaching web development, data analysis, and AI integration. By using hyperlocal datasets, the programme ensures training remains relevant to the needs of Peckhamâs businesses and communities.
Claire Jones (L&P), Amanda Robinson (PRD), Mary-Helen Young (PRD), Waitz Li (UAL Creative Computing Institute)
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(timestamp: 188:58) The day culminated in the unveiling of the High Streets Data Hub, presented by Paul Hodgson from the City Data Team. The Hub offers a dynamic, user-friendly platform for accessing and visualising high street data, empowering users to make data-driven decisions more efficiently than ever before.
In a live demo, attendees explored the Hubâs capabilities by making their own âHigh Streets: Wrappedâ, where they uncovered insights on the winter holiday period in 2023.Â
Thank you from the High Streets Data Service Team#
Thank you to all our attendees, speakers, and partners who made this yearâs High Streets Data Day such a success. The insights shared throughout the day reflect the power of collaboration, curiosity, and innovation in using data to tackle Londonâs most pressing challenges.
