Guardians of the Arches

Emma Best AM proposed, and Neil Garratt AM seconded, the following motion: 

“This Assembly is immeasurably concerned for Transport for London (TfL) business tenants who, due to the pandemic, are fighting to save previously successful businesses.

This Assembly notes that throughout the pandemic, TfL has supported business tenants in a variety of ways, including:

• Full rent relief;
• Awarding direct rent credits;
• Providing more time to pay down pre-existing arrears;
• Giving support in managing rates claims; and
• Allowing tenants to move from quarterly to monthly rent payments to allow for easier budgeting.

In addition, TfL has not increased rent levels for small and medium-sized businesses even where rent reviews have been due. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor for Business Rajesh Agrawal and TfL have met with Guardian of the Arches and continues to support them. This includes a forthcoming meeting with Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport.

Ultimately, getting London moving again will be the best way to properly support the recovery of these businesses and of businesses across the capital. This Assembly notes that the Guardian of the Arches have also expressed concern at the lack of funding from the Government to TfL which has impacted their businesses.

We call on the Mayor to:

• Meet personally with Guardians of the Arches leaders and businesses;
• Lay out how and when promised support for TfL tenants will be delivered;
• Provide a 5-year plan for tenant support, given he is on record stating it will take half a decade for London footfall to return to normal; and
• Commit to refurbishing and renovating units that are no longer of an acceptable tenable standard, including Net Zero Carbon requirements.

Furthermore, this Assembly joins the call from the Guardians of the Arches calls on the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to work together with the Mayor of London to provide TfL with the long-term funding that they need to invest in businesses in London’s railway arches.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed with 20 votes being cast in favour and 0 votes being cast against.