Ilford Businesses Come Together to Shape the Future of the Town Centre

More than 100 business leaders, civic representatives and strategic partners came  together at Enigma Pan Asian on Wednesday 24 June for the 2026 Ilford BID Working  Dinner, an evening dedicated to collaboration, investment and the continued growth of  Ilford Town Centre. 

Hosted by Ilford BID Manager Cyril Bekoe on behalf of BID Chair Sarah deCourcy Rolls  and the Ilford BID Board, the event brought together businesses from across retail,  hospitality, professional services, banking, education, property, policing and local  government to strengthen partnerships and discuss the future of Ilford. 

Among the distinguished guests were Jas Athwal MP, Member of Parliament for Ilford  South; Claire Hamilton, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Redbridge; Deputy  Leader Cllr Vanisha Solanki, Cabinet Member for Finance and Shared Prosperity; Cllr  Sunny Brar, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Community Safety and Cohesion; Cllr  Saima Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning; Inspector Matt Ross from the  Metropolitan Police Town Centre Team;Anthony Lindsey, Chair of Redbridge Chamber and Mohamed Omer, Chair of the Redbridge Faith Forum. 

Guests also heard from keynote speakers Ash Rao of the Greater London Authority, who  provided insight into footfall, visitor spend and wider economic trends affecting town  centres. 

Representatives from organisations including Exchange Ilford, Metro Bank, HSBC,  NatWest, Adecco, Boots UK, Wood Street Walls, City Gates Church, Mont Rose College,  Community Action Redbridge, Savills, Greater London Authority, London Borough of  Redbridge, Metropolitan Police, Redbridge Chamber of Commerce, Redbridge Faith  Forum, HSBC, NatWest, Metro Bank, Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, Superdrug, Nelson  College London, Maison Noor, Sainsbury’s and many more businesses and organisations  were in attendance. 

During the evening, businesses were encouraged to complete a stakeholder survey to  identify the issues most affecting their operations and to help shape future BID priorities.  Feedback highlighted that anti-social behaviour remains the greatest concern for businesses, with many respondents also identifying business rates, aggressive begging,  shoplifting, homelessness and customer safety as key challenges. Businesses also  called for increased police visibility, stronger marketing of Ilford, improvements to the  public realm and more support in attracting quality businesses and investment into the  town centre. 

Closing the evening, Jas Athwal MP praised Ilford’s business community, recognising the  enormous contribution local businesses make to the borough’s economy, employment  and community life. He reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside Ilford BID, 

Redbridge Council and local businesses to continue supporting investment,  regeneration and economic growth across the town centre. 

Throughout the evening, Ilford BID also showcased its ambitious programme for the year  ahead, including Ilford inColour (15–16 August 2026), Christmas inIlford (21 November  2026), continued town centre security patrols, Ilford Market expansion, business training  programmes and the 2026 Ilford & Redbridge Business Awards, all designed with one  objective—bringing more people into Ilford to support local businesses. 

The evening demonstrated the strength of partnership working across Ilford and  reinforced a shared commitment to creating a safer, more vibrant and prosperous town centre. 

View the event gallery 

Photographs and highlights from the evening will be available on the Ilford BID website  and social media channels shortly. 

https://clients.eventcapture.co.uk/ilfordbiddinnerenigma

Password as written: IBD26 

Image credits – Event Capture – Paul & Gary 

Get involved 

Businesses wishing to become involved in Ilford BID events, sponsorship opportunities,  marketing campaigns or town centre initiatives are encouraged to contact Cyril Bekoe,  BID Manager via email cyril@ilfordbid.com or call 07498316461, to discuss how their  business can maximise opportunities, increase visibility and help drive footfall into Ilford  Town Centre.