Fleet Street public realm renewal, London

Fleet Street public realm renewal

14 July 2026

Location: Fleet Street, City of London, England, UK.

Fleet Street Quarter BID backs bold vision to transform one of London’s most iconic streets

Public consultation enters its final weeks as new report highlights how investment in public realm can increase footfall, boost retail spending and support long-term economic growth

14th July 2026 – The City of London Corporation has launched a public consultation on proposals to transform Fleet Street, improving the experience of people walking and wheeling and creating a safer, greener and more welcoming street for all. Supported by Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), the plans form part of a major long-term regeneration programme to revitalise Fleet Street and its historic network of courts and lanes for the modern era.

Photos by Mickey Lee

Coinciding with the consultation, Fleet Street Quarter BID has published a new report, The Fleet Street Quarter Public Realm Economic Benefits Case, which brings together evidence from successful public realm projects across London and the economic benefits they have delivered. The report highlights the strong relationship between high-quality public realm and positive economic outcomes, strengthening the case for the proposed Fleet Street transformation by demonstrating how wider pavements, greener spaces, and improved walking and cycling infrastructure can increase footfall, boost retail spending, attract investment and support long-term economic growth.

Backed by a £9 million commitment from the City of London Corporation and a further £500,000 investment from Fleet Street Quarter BID, the consultation presents two potential design options for the future of Fleet Street.

Proposals include widening pavements by between 1 and 2.5 metres, improved cycling provision, and the introduction of planting and seating to create a high-quality, attractive street environment.

Following early engagement with local business and community representatives in autumn 2025, feedback has been incorporated into a series of refined design options, which are now being presented to the public as part of the consultation.

Option 1 focuses on significantly improving conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling, with wider pavements, more extensive planting, seating and opportunities to relax. The proposed changes place greater emphasis on Fleet Street as a destination, with changes to how motor vehicle traffic travels through Fleet Street to enable the transformative change.

Option 2 offers more space for pedestrians and cyclists, alongside some planting and seating opportunities, while maintaining all through traffic. It offers a more incremental shift towards a greener, more accessible Fleet Street, retaining much of its current function.

The Fleet Street Quarter BID has announced its strong support for the more ambitious Option One vision, which would significantly widen pavements, introduce extensive planting and seating, improve conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling, and create a more welcoming environment for workers, visitors, residents and businesses alike.

The report brings together evidence showing how investment in public realm can deliver measurable economic benefits, including:

Public realm improvements can increase retail sales by 30% or more.
Investment in walking and cycling generates an estimated £13 of economic benefit for every £1 invested.
Streets improved through public realm investment experience 17% lower retail vacancy rates than comparable unimproved streets.
Improvements to street quality have been shown to increase walking by 93% and leisure activity by 216%, encouraging greater footfall, longer dwell times and increased visitor spending.
Case studies across London have recorded significant increases in footfall following public realm improvements, including 13.9% on Sloane Street and up to 128% on Baker Street.

Fleet Street Quarter BID CEO, Lady Lucy French, said:
“Fleet Street is one of the world’s most famous streets; historic, resilient and constantly evolving. We are witnessing a renaissance across the area, and this transformation represents a vital opportunity to create a public realm that reflects Fleet Street’s significance, character and future potential. The evidence set out in our new report shows that investing in public realm doesn’t simply create greener, more attractive streets. It also delivers tangible economic benefits by increasing footfall, supporting local businesses and attracting investment. That’s why we believe Option One represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Fleet Street into a thriving civic, cultural and commercial destination.”

Mike Fairmaner, Head of Placemaking, Fleet Street Quarter BID, said:
“Option One delivers the boldest vision for Fleet Street: significantly improved accessibility and a more welcoming environment where people can spend time, not simply pass through.The report clearly shows that investing in high-quality public realm strengthens local economies by supporting businesses, encouraging investment and creating destinations where people want to spend more time. That’s exactly the opportunity we have with Fleet Street.”

The wider transformation aims to enhance the area’s social, cultural and economic vibrancy while supporting Fleet Street Quarter’s ongoing renaissance. Alongside 33 new and refurbished developments expected to deliver 7 million sq ft of space over the next five years, the area is projected to welcome around 40,000 additional people each day, including landmark schemes such as the City of London Corporation’s Salisbury Square courts and the new City of London Police headquarters. As Fleet Street Quarter continues to grow, the Fleet Street Quarter Public Realm Economic Benefits Case reinforces the importance of investing in high-quality public realm to support increased footfall, attract investment and ensure the area remains a vibrant destination for businesses, workers and visitors.

The City of London Corporation and Fleet Street Quarter BID last year appointed award-winning landscape architecture practice Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape (BHSLA) to lead the public realm design for the Transforming Fleet Street project. Fleet Street Quarter BID has worked closely with the City of London Corporation throughout the development of the proposals, helping to represent the priorities of local businesses and stakeholders.

With the consultation closing on 27 July, Fleet Street Quarter BID is encouraging everyone with an interest in the future of Fleet Street to have their say.

To view the proposals and take part in the consultation, visit: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/transformingfleetstreet

About Fleet Street Quarter BID

The Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) is a 43 hectare area on the western side of the City of London. The Fleet Street Quarter BID aims to enhance the economic vitality and cultural vibrancy of London’s historic Fleet Street area by investing in public realm improvements, community initiatives, and business support services. We focus on fostering a thriving, dynamic environment for businesses, visitors, and residents, through collaboration and strategic developments.

About The City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK.

Public consultation will run from 27 May to 27 July 2026 here: cityoflondon.gov.uk
The Transforming Fleet Street project is supported by the Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District.
The project is part of the wider Fleet Street Area Programme, which seeks to improve streets and public spaces in the area.

About Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape (BHSLA)

Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape (BHSLA) is a multi-award-winning landscape design firm known for its timeless, pure, and context-inspired designs that draw out the unique aspects of each project through forensic investigations into history, geology, and ecology. Founded in 2010, the firm applies diverse backgrounds in conservation, architecture, horticulture, and botany to create innovative and energetic landscapes, with a strong focus on geometry, proportion, and detail. Founded Christopher Bradley-Hole and Brita von Schoenaich, BHSLA has received numerous awards, including multiple Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Christopher Bradley-Hole.

https://bhsla.co.uk/

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Previously on e-architect:

Fleet Street’s Next Chapter: Design team appointed to lead £9.5M public realm transformation.

11 September 2025

Fleet Street is entering a bold new chapter. Long celebrated as the home of British journalism, it is now the focus of a public realm transformation led by Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape (BHSLA), recently appointed by the City of London Corporation with support from the Fleet Street Quarter BID.

Impression of the possible future Fleet Street public realm:

CGI by Gensler