London Retail Consortium

The LRC was launched on October 2003 in response to calls from many BRC members that the voice of retail was not being heard as loudly and clearly in London as it ought to have been. Important issues such as Congestion charging, public transport problems, poor environment, reduction in tourism and increasing crime were receiving an inadequate response from the various public agencies responsible.

The LRC is modelled along the same lines as the Scottish Retail Consortium. The committee members, made up of leading BRC members represented within the M25 area attend meetings every 2 months, where policies and campaigning issues are discussed. The committee is expected to provide input to LRC responses to consultations and other documents.

In addition the LRC, in conjunction with the BRC, publishes the London Retail Sales Monitor. This monthly bulletin is not only a valuable tool for establishing retail sales trends within the Greater London area, but also provides the LRC with a powerful lobbying tool, as well as an extremely useful data tool for participating retailers.

The LRC provides a focus for the BRC to lobby:

The Mayor and his team on congestion charging, on spatial development, and on retail's importance to the economy of London.
The Metropolitan Police Authority on the need for effective measures to combat retail crime in London. The Capital is well behind other major UK cities in tackling retail crime effectively.
Transport for London on the need to keep retailers informed of maintenance schedules and other planned disruptions to London transport services, so that we can take this into account in planning promotions, staffing levels etc.
Relevant bodies on the need to improve the physical environment of London's most important shopping streets.
Visit London on the need to take effective methods to stimulate tourism to London.