THE new chief executive of Ealing Broadway’s Business Improvement District (BID) has launched his tenure with a bold plan to halve business rates.
Matthew McMillan took up the top job representing 380 businesses in the town centre only a few weeks ago and has already appointed leading property consultant, Colliers International, to challenge the government-set tax for its members.
The firm’s research suggests many Ealing traders could save as much as 50 per cent on their bills and the team have developed a scheme to offer cut-price recycling, pest control and business insurance.
Mr McMillan said: “Ealing Broadway is a quality business location with great transport links and huge potential. However, the recent rates rises are in many cases disproportionate and unrealistic. We want to do all we can to make Ealing a business-friendly and cost-efficient district.”
The 31-year-old can be seen cycling into work from East Dulwich and comes to Ealing with a wealth of experience.
He managed Camden BID for six years after completing a masters degree in urban design and town centre management.
His former borough was also targeted by rioters last summer, and he helped promote retail areas which have sprung up since Eurostar relocated to King’s Cross in 2007.
He believes the arrival of Crossrail will generate the same attention in Ealing Broadway and will be key in establishing the town centre as a suburban shopping destination.
“I’m excited about coming to Ealing,” said Mr McMillan. “It is rated as one of 12 metropolitan areas in London. It’s one of the biggest areas – that’s a real challenge.
“Ealing is going to be 25 minutes from Canary Wharf and 15 minutes from Tottenham Court Road. We want to get people from Soho to change their view and think ‘we’re only 15 minutes from Ealing’.”
The new pan-London rail link has already attracted investment from the £200million Dickens Yard development, which will result in 698 luxury apartments being built above 100,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space.
And Mr McMillan supports Ealing Council’s battle to ensure the £500m Arcadia Centre, as the ‘gateway’ to the town centre from Ealing Broadway station, is sold as a whole unit.
Grant Thornton, the creditors managing the estate for former owner Glenkerrin, which went bankrupt last spring, says it is close to making a deal.
Despite the riots, crime has fallen by 25 per cent in the past five years, which the business expert says is important to improving the public realm.
He is committed to doing what he can to encourage investment in the area. One creative idea is to invite students to set up pop-up shops in vacant units to work with young people and show investors the benefits of bringing ‘something unique’ back to the high street.
Mr McMillan said: “We want Ealing to be remembered as a place with great shops and businesses that want to be here and customers that come out of the station and want to be here.
“We can’t compete with Westfield but we will be complementary. If we can create an identity for Ealing Broadway and work with property owners and the council to facilitate ideas, we can bring people back here.”
Ealing Broadway BID is funded by and represents more than 380 shops, pubs, restaurants and offices in Ealing Broadway, High Street, Ealing Green and St Mary’s Road, and is going from strength to strength.
Its Shop Local website has 13,000 users and the team recently launched a free iPhone app to allow shoppers to access a directory and discounts on the go.
Mr McMillan and his team will host numerous events to tie in with this summer’s Uefa European Football Championships, the diamond jubilee and the Olympics.
