Public consultation on the experimental traffic order at Bank has opened. 

From May 2017, Bank Junction operated weekday traffic restrictions between 7AM and 7PM, permitting only buses and cycles. On 28 July 2025, The City of London Corporation introduced a trial allowing licensed taxis (black cabs) to travel across Bank Junction between Poultry and Cornhill during these hours. Please note this trial does not include private hire vehicles such as Uber or Bolt.

The purpose of this trial is to assess whether allowing licensed taxis improves access for those who rely on them and whether it increases taxi availability in the area.

Consultation period: 19 January 2026 – 31 May 2026

Online Survey:  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/allchangeatbank.

All feedback will help inform the final decision, which will be taken later this year, on whether to make this change to taxi access at Bank permanent.

Cornhill Ward Councillor Peter Dunphy CC has been recognised in the 2026 New Year’s Honours:

Peter Dunphy, currently chair of the City of London Corporation Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, has been awarded an MBE for services to amenity conservation and to volunteering.

He previously chaired the City Corporation’s licensing committee, where he oversaw the growth of the night time economy to a record size without a single licensing appeal. He also oversaw new safety policies and the development of the night time levy to pay for additional policing and cleaning. He also sponsored a number of ‘Asset of Community Value’ designations saving historic City pubs.

More recently Mr Dunphy served as Chief Commoner – one of the City Corporation’s most historic roles dating back to 1444 – initiating a groundbreaking new member code of conduct. He has hosted the state banquets for the visits of the Amir of Qatar, Emperor of Japan and President of Germany.

He also spent over a decade as trustee and two years as deputy governor (lead trustee) of The Honourable The Irish Society a grant-giving charity connected to the City Corporation which supports cross-community initiatives in and around the North West of Northern Ireland.

The City is unique – businesses and other organisations can register voters for local elections. The period for registering voters runs from September to 30 November each year and the Ward Lists (the lists of voters for City Ward elections) are updated annually.

The canvass to register worker voters in the City takes place between August and 30 November every year.

Businesses and other organisations that are entitled to nominate voters were sent registration forms at the end of August. The forms were sent to a named individual who is responsible for nominating the voters for their organisation. If we have a business email contact, we will also have sent it via email.

If you are a new business that has recently moved into the City, or you are an existing business and you need to update your details, please complete the City Workplace Survey using the link below:Complete the City Workplace Survey

Once we have received your details, we will send you a Voter Registration Form in the Autumn. Please name a suitable contact to receive the form. The period for registering voters runs from September to 30 November each year and the Ward Lists (the lists of voters for City Ward elections) are updated annually.

Businesses and other organisations that are entitled to nominate voters were sent registration forms at the end of August. The forms were sent to a named individual who is responsible for nominating the voters for their organisation. If we have a business email contact, we will also have sent it via email. 

The Clean City Awards Scheme (CCAS) is run by the City of London Corporation to help drive sustainable business. We are here to help City of London businesses improve in the following areas:

• Air quality and climate action

• Communication and engagement around sustainability
• Resource efficiency and move towards circular economy practices
• Transition towards a Plastic Free City

City of London businesses can become a member of the scheme to apply for awards, access resource packs and attend our Environmental Best Practice Meetings and Workshops.

The City of London Police has launched #OperationSwipe – Intensification Week starting today, which will focus on tackling phone snatching across the City.

The initiative is designed to disrupt organised phone-snatching gangs, raise public awareness, and provide individuals with practical tools to safeguard their belongings and personal information. The objectives of the campaign are to:
Reduce the prevalence of phone snatching and related crimes in key targeted areas.
Deter criminal activity through increased police visibility and enforcement.
Provide resources and guidance to the public on protecting property and preventing identity theft.

Key Activities:

1. Phone Marking & Registration
Phone owners will be able to register their devices with a unique identifier linked to a police database. This measure improves the likelihood of recovering and returning stolen phones. Sessions will be held at the following locations:

**Wednesday 24 September – Coventry University, Middlesex Street (11:00 – 14:00)
Thursday 25 September – Fleet Street (junction with Ludgate Hill) (11:00 – 14:00)
Friday 26 September – One New Change, Cheapside (11:00 – 14:00)**

2. Hot Spot Patrols
Targeted police patrols will be deployed in areas most affected by phone snatching to provide a visible deterrent and enhance public safety.

3. Public Awareness & Education
Distribution of educational materials with practical tips to prevent identity theft and fraudulent use of personal or banking information.
Guidance on how to safeguard devices and accounts if a phone is stolen.

4. Community Engagement
Dedicated Ward Officers will work directly with residents and workers to:
Promote the phone-marking process.
Share anti-fraud advice.
Encourage safe practices to prevent becoming a victim of phone snatching.

City of London Police phone snatching work also forms a key part of the City of London Corporation ‘s three-year policing plan published in April to keep people safe and feeling safe. The plan sets out how the force will achieve its vision of a trusted and inclusive police service, keeping the City of London safe and transforming the national policing response to fraud, economic and cyber crime.

In September 1666 the Great Fire of London swept through the City. Man-about-town Samuel Pepys witnessed and recorded the events of that extraordinary week. The fire started at 1.00am on September 2nd and by mid-morning Pepys was writing about it in his diary. The fire was put out on September 6th and we are marking this as Pepys Day.  There is so much more to Samuel Pepys and his Diary than that one fateful week in September. His diary covers just over nine years.

Pepys Day this year will be on Friday, September 5th with all proceeds going to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.   Tours by an official City of London Guide will include much about him, his life and exploits and the times in which he lived as well as key moments from the Great Fire. There are four different walk routes. Two routes start from the Monument on Fish Street Hill and both end inside The Royal Exchange at Engel bar. Two further walks start from The Royal Exchange at Engel bar in the afternoon and will head south down to the river, as well as west towards Fleet Street. 

MORNING TOURS FROM THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON MONUMENT will leave at 5 minute intervals starting at 10:00 with the last departure at 10:22.

AFTERNOON TOURS FROM ROYAL EXCHANGE will leave at 5 minute intervals starting at 13:30 with the last departure at 13:52.

Eventbrite tickets cost £20.00 plus booking fee, which includes the tour and a refreshment voucher to redeem at the Royal Exchange’s Engel bar.  Any surpluses benefit the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, 

Tickets can be booked here – http://bit.ly/44wYbSG

City AM – a provider of City news – is running ‘Toast the City’ Awards, celebrating the best spots in the Square Mile.

Many have already discovered and enjoyed the peaceful oasis provided by our garden at St Michael’s  — and winning a Hidden Gems award would be a wonderful way to raise our profile even further.

If you have a moment, we would be grateful if you could cast your vote via the link below. The Hidden Gems category is right at the end of the list:

TOAST AWARDS — City AM Events .

Thank you for your support — and for helping shine a light on this special space in the City.

Today it was announced that from Monday 28 July, licensed (black) taxis will be able to travel between Poultry and Cornhill, Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, as part of a new experimental traffic order at Bank junction. 

This follows the Court of Common Council decision in June 2024 to proceed with an experiment.  It was agreed at Planning and Transportation Committee in February 2025 to proceed with a route that allowed for an east and west route across the junction for taxis.

This is a phased introduction of the experiment, with the westbound movement for taxis between Cornhill to Poultry to follow later this year. 

Full Story Here

City Beerfest is back!

City Beerfest is back this summer, on Thursday 3 July, offering an irresistible choice of beers from some of the UK and Europe’s finest Brewers, tasty street food and fantastic live entertainment — all in the historic setting of Guildhall Yard to raise money for a worthy cause.

Come and raise a glass in support of the charities championed by The Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

This season, we’re not just filling the streets with activity — we’re sharing our why. The Eastern City is a place where heritage meets innovation, and this summer, our programme reflects our commitment to wellbeing, creativity and cultural access in the heat of London.

Whether you’re commuting in, stopping by, or here every day — this one’s for you.

✨ Here’s what’s on:

🏋️‍♂️ Free outdoor fitness classes from reformer pilates and barre to high-energy HYROX — partnering with iconic local venues like BXR and Fitness First Bishopsgate.

🍃 Mindful moments with Antidote LDN — join us for soundbaths, floristry and more, designed to support mental wellbeing in the workplace and beyond.

🏃‍♂️ Catch the ultimate Friday energy at Friday Night Lights run club — with sponsored tickets available for Eastern City runners. Lace up and connect.

🎶 City Sounds – Free pop-up live music from talented artists, transforming your lunchtime, post-work drinks or commute into a cultural moment.

📢 Coming in July: Leadenhall Live – Culture, creativity, and tech collide in a series of punchy live panel talks and guest speaker events, hosted at The Leadenhall Building Expect ideas that move you.

💗 ‘It’s Love, I Think’ by Eve De Haan – A perfectly pink installation at Broadworks by Hive, blending art and joy with a pink chai on the side.

🫖 SET Ceramics – a stunning reuse of a former cobbler’s shop into a working ceramics studio and creative hub. It’s a celebration of regeneration, local craft and sustainable reuse.

🧭 Our vision is simple: to support the people who power the City, through experiences that bring joy, reflection and connection.

👉 Discover the full programme at easterncity.co.uk/summer