Bosses plan to keep London abreast

THE heads of some of London's biggest employers will this week launch a campaign to improve the capital's infrastructure in a bid to prevent it falling behind other European cities.

London First will be chaired by Sir Allen Sheppard, chairman of Grand Metropolitan, the food and drink giant.

More than 40 public and private sector organisations, including Marks & Spencer, Land Securities, Allied Dunbar and the London School of Economics, have already pledged their support by agreeing to attend the launch breakfast in the Royal Festival Hall, London.

The campaign has been masterminded by Business in the Community, which aims to promote industry's involvement in the local community. Businesses will be asked to contribute pounds 5,000 each, which will be used to fund research, campaigns and political lobbying aimed at promoting and improving London.

Among the areas the campaign will focus on are education and training, transport and housing, all of which are seen as essential to encouraging investment and recruitment by businesses in the capital.

London First is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at promoting the city.

Many of them have focused on defending London's role as an international financial centre, including the City Research Project funded by the Corporation of London.

Last week, the government- funded London Planning Advisory Committee published a discussion document on strategic planning issues in the capital, which built on last year's study, London: World City, prepared for it by the accountants Coopers & Lybrand.

The study warned that London's status was in jeopardy unless its transport, education and promotion were improved.

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