HSDS was named “Data Partnership of the Year” at the 2025 British Data Awards — an event recognising outstanding data work from 450+ nominations spanning FTSE 100 companies, government departments, and tech start-ups. Judges said they “loved this memorable entry,” praising its blend of “community, commercial understanding, and excellent data storytelling.” The award recognises the collective impact of our partners: your collaboration continues to shape the service and deepen our shared understanding of London’s local economies. Congratulations!

Proposals for the 2025 HSDS Incubator close 5pm tomorrow, Friday 29 August. The 10-week programme runs September to December and will equip participants to conduct independent research projects under the supervision of a GLA data mentor. Read more about the opportunity here, and submit your application via the web form.
  

We’re pleased to welcome Better Bankside and Ilford BIDs, along with the London boroughs of Barnet, Harrow, Redbridge, and Sutton to HSDS. We’re also delighted to have the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) joining the service — our third London-wide strategic authority.

 

HSDS hosted a half-day workshop on how to use Hub data for regular performance reporting as part of the third annual London Data Week in July, featuring a presentation on South Bank BID's approach. Session materials, including the monthly reporting template, are now available. 

 

Busier high streets in State of London 2025 

Lauren 's analysis for The State of London (June 2025) shows that day and night footfall rose across most high streets and town centres between 2023 and 2024. While the majority of areas also saw more purchases, total spend amounts tended to decline year-on-year, suggesting that people are visiting and buying more often but spending less overall. The average vacancy rate was 9.6% in 2024, with Outer London high streets performing slightly better than Inner London.

Centre for Cities: The varying performance of high streets across the country

Centre for Cities published a new report, "Checking Out" explaining why high street performance varies across the country. The report identifies catchment size and affluence, proximity of jobs, and visitor spend as the key drivers of high street health. Watch the Good Morning Britain coverage here.

We've partnered with Centre for Cities to develop a companion report on variation across high streets in Greater London. Expect the results — including an exclusive briefing for HSDS members — this autumn.

The High Streets Data Hub has been updated with footfall and spend data through 31 July 2025. To access, log-in to your HSD Hub account (borough/BID user and HSDS-set password) and select a Focus area.

 

New Hub report shows how business types in your area are changing
The Hub now shows what types of businesses operate in local centres and how they’ve changed over time. Powered by LDC premises data, the report lets you explore your area’s mix of leisure, service, and retail and track shifts across 40+ business types — from shops to cafes, nail salons to supermarkets — with historical data back to 2014. Case studies on the changing business demography in Battersea and Putney are included in the full release notes here.