How we’re continuing the London 2012 legacy by driving innovation

By PAUL BRICKELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF REGENERATION ANDCOMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, LONDON LEGACY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

When London was awarded the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in July 2005, the world was responding not only to a vision of a spectacular summer of sport, but also to an inspirational transformation programme that would last far into the future – “the regeneration of an entire community for the direct benefit of everyone who lives there”.

The Games were a huge moment for London and the UK. But with such a huge investment their legacy had to go beyond the happy glow as we watched our athletes win gold – they needed to have a real and lasting impact on the surrounding area.

It is the responsibility of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), working with a broad range of partners and with local communities, to ensure that happens.

LLDC was formed to use the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of the London 2012 Games and the creation of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to change the lives of people in east London and drive growth and investment in London and the UK.

The financial and emotional investment from the London 2012 Games gave a huge boost to long held plans to transform this formerly neglected part of the capital.

Fast-forwarding six years, we now have a unique and successful destination in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - attracting around 6 million visitors every year - with world-class sporting venues in everyday use, and a full and exciting programme of events which has included sell-out concerts by international artists such as the Rolling Stones.

With our partners we are establishing new residential neighbourhoods and impressive new business districts, and integrating these into the existing fabric of the area.

And we continue to create education, training and employment opportunities for local people.