In February, you voted yes. 93% of voting businesses backed WeAreWaterloo for a fifth term – the strongest result in our history –  and on 1 April we hit the ground running.

This week marks 100 days since the new term began, and we didn’t want it to pass quietly. Your vote came with a clear message about what matters most in Waterloo –  and we’ve spent the first 100 days acting on it. Here’s what’s happened already, and there’s plenty more coming.

Security patrols are now out five days a week

Safe and welcoming streets were at the top of the list when you voted yes, and we’ve wasted no time – Waterloo’s security patrol, provided by FGH Security, has expanded to five days a week.

Following direct feedback from businesses across the BID area, the team is now out on Waterloo’s streets more than ever, making 150+ in-person visits to local businesses every week. They share crime and security updates, connect you to our security communication platforms, and keep you informed of local trends. They’re a friendly, familiar presence – and if you haven’t met them yet, you will soon.

The patrol can be reached on 07625 173061 during the following hours:

• Tue & Wed: 9am-5pm
• Thurs & Fri: 12-8pm
• Sat: 2-10pm

In an emergency, always call 999.

Not yet connected to our security network? Here’s how to get involved:

• Report an incident – spotted something suspicious or been a victim of crime? Use our incident reporting form to alert the team. Report here
• Met Engage – a free messaging service from the Met Police with local crime alerts and safety advice. Sign up here
• WhatsApp community group – stay connected with security updates as they happen. Join now
• Free security training – including ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) and SCaN awareness courses for your team. Find out more
• Crime & Security Forum – we bring together retail and hospitality businesses, the Met Police, British Transport Police, outreach workers and security partners to share updates, discuss local issues and work collaboratively on solutions. All sessions run 10.30-11.30am.

£100,000 won for Waterloo’s summer

In partnership with Lambeth Council, we’ve secured £100,000 from the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets Fund – bringing direct investment into Waterloo this summer.

The funding will make the most of the Saturday road closure on Lower Marsh (9am-9pm), with more al fresco dining, extra outdoor seating for hospitality businesses, and the street dressed for the season with festoon lighting, bunting and planting. It also brings three free outdoor film screenings in partnership with National Theatre Live – one on the final Saturday of each month from July to September, kicking off with Hamlet.  

And it’s part of a bigger story across the whole BID area: winning external funding that stretches your levy further and brings more people to Waterloo. The programme runs from July to September 2026 – keep an eye on @WeAreWaterlooUK for screening dates and what’s on.

Waterloo’s data, now in your hands

Ever wondered which evening is really your best bet for late opening? Or how weekend spending compares to the working week? Now you can find out for yourself.

We’ve long used data internally to shape projects and support local businesses. Now we’re handing those insights over to you. Powered by the Greater London Authority’s High Street Data Service, our new interactive 2025/26 Annual Dashboard shows you what’s happening across the BID area – footfall and spend trends, the busiest days of the week, dwell time, and where Waterloo’s visitors are coming from.

We’ll also publish Quarterly Data Dashboards to keep you up to date as trends change through the year. These include a Day & Time Activity section, so you can drill into average footfall, dwell time and spend by day of the week and 3-hour period – useful for planning staffing, opening hours or your next STAR Card offer.

Have a question the dashboards don’t answer? Contact Zan Haq, Data & Projects Officer, at zan@wearewaterloo.co.uk. For the best experience, view the dashboards on a desktop browser.

A new WhatsApp Community for Waterloo’s businesses and workers

We’ve launched a new WhatsApp Community, built exclusively for Waterloo’s businesses and workers – the easiest way yet to stay in the loop with what’s going on locally. And it’s already taken off: over 140 members have joined in the first 100 days, and it’s been great to see the street groups connecting, sharing updates and reporting issues in real time.

Join your street group to chat with your immediate neighbours, and our main announcements channel for official WeAreWaterloo updates – events, safety alerts, area updates and operational support, all in one place. The new setup also comes with clear usage guidelines and improved data protection, so everything stays secure.

Getting started takes seconds. Click the invitation link here, then join your street group and the announcements channel.

What’s next

We’re just getting started. Your yes vote unlocks over £4.5 million of investment into Waterloo between now and 2031, and we’ll keep reporting back on exactly what it’s delivering – on your street, for your business, and across the neighbourhood.

If there’s something you’d like to see from your BID, email us: info@wearewaterloo.co.uk.