Three sites in Hammersmith and Fulham have been officially recognized as 'strategic economic clusters' in the Mayor of London's draft London Plan, a designation that underscores the borough's growing economic significance. The sites—Earl's Court, Olympia, and White City—are among 18 such clusters identified across the capital, with Hammersmith and Fulham matching Hounslow as the boroughs with the most designations.
What Are Strategic Economic Clusters?
According to the draft plan, these clusters are areas earmarked for economic growth that fall outside existing corridors like town centres or Central Activities Zones (CAZ). The designation is intended to focus investment and development in specific locales, fostering job creation and industrial expansion. For Hammersmith and Fulham, this recognition arrives as the borough reports being London's fastest-growing economy and ranking in the top 10 across the UK.
The local council claims to have attracted over £6 billion in investment in high-growth sectors and facilitated the creation of 17,200 new jobs, driven by its flagship economic strategy, Upstream London. This strategy has been praised by developers involved in major projects within the borough.
Earl's Court: A 4,000-Home Transformation
The Earl's Court site, split between Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea, is set to undergo a massive transformation. The 40-acre plot, once home to the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, has sat largely unused since demolition between 2015 and 2017. Plans approved by both councils in late 2025 envision a new neighbourhood with shops, restaurants, bars, and 4,000 homes.
The Earl's Court Development Company (ECDC), a joint venture between Delancey, APG, and Places for London (TfL's property arm), estimates that once complete, the scheme will contribute £3 billion annually to the UK economy and support 23,500 jobs nationwide. Construction is slated to begin in 2028, with delivery phased over 15 to 20 years.
An ECDC spokesperson highlighted the borough's unique approach: "There is a very clear focus on inclusive growth and growing the economy, for the benefit of the borough as a whole, which is followed rigorously. Hammersmith and Fulham is unusual as a local authority in having very defined policy on economic growth and inward investment." They added that the borough's leadership actively partners with public, private, and education sectors to support investment, bringing benefits across skills, education, and social impact.
Olympia: A £1.3 Billion Cultural Hub
The Olympia redevelopment, another cluster site, is already partially open. The former exhibition centre is being transformed into a cultural destination featuring theatres, music venues, a drama school, hotels, and substantial workspace. According to the development team, the project is expected to inject over £600 million annually into the UK economy and attract 3.5 million visitors each year.
A spokesperson for Olympia commented: "Olympia is a good example of how investment can restore a historic landmark while creating jobs, new cultural venues and wider economic benefits for the local area. It brings a new place for the local community to eat, drink, discover on their doorstep, in this pocket of West London."
White City: Innovation District Under Scrutiny
White City, the third cluster, has become a hub for health, life sciences, and media, anchored by the White City Innovation District, a collaboration between the council and Imperial College London established in 2017. However, the development has faced criticism from local residents.
The White City Residents Association (WCRA) expressed concerns that the Innovation District has not delivered tangible benefits to locals. A spokesperson stated: "Reflecting on the White City Opportunity Area and Innovation District, WCRA noted that, while there have been some links specifically for residents through Imperial College and the WEST youth centre, in terms of its overall connection to and benefits for White City residents, the White City Innovation District might as well have been located in Fulham."
The WCRA also highlighted ongoing disruptions: "Being part of the Opportunity Area and next to the Innovation District has brought noise, dust and substantial disruption over many years for residents of both White City and Wood Lane estates as huge developments have gone up around the area, but there have been few gains for those who live here." They added that early promises of local opportunities have not been fulfilled, and routes to training or jobs are not actively shared.
Council Response and Future Outlook
In response, a council spokesperson pointed to initiatives like the Hammersmith and Fulham Pathway Bond, backed by over 100 local businesses, which aims to connect young people with future job opportunities. They also mentioned the £150 million EdCity development in White City, which includes an adult learning centre, a new primary school, and the WEST Youth Zone—a state-of-the-art facility offering sports, music, and dance studios for just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit.
The spokesperson added: "The world is changing at-pace due to new technologies and AI. But in Hammersmith and Fulham we aim to help shape that future, not cower from it, by rising to the enormous challenges and giving our young people the very best opportunities in life."
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "The draft London Plan creates a clear, long-term roadmap for businesses to invest in London with confidence. It focuses growth on four key 'super sectors': financial and professional services, creative industries, the experience economy, and frontier innovations like life sciences, tech, and AI. Central to this vision are new Strategic Economic Clusters, which act as local job hotspots outside central London designed specifically to help these industries thrive."
