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Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District teams up with National Literacy Trust
Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) is partnering with the National Literacy Trust (NLT) to celebrate storytelling, education and literacy with a programme of events throughout 2026.
The partnership will see a series of major cultural and community initiatives take place through 2026, which will also be the National Year of Reading, "reinforcing Fleet Street Quarter’s position as the historic and spiritual home of British journalism, publishing and the written word", a spokesperson for Fleet Street Quarter said.
"Building on the success of Fleet Street Quarter’s inaugural Festival of Words, which launched last year to widespread acclaim, the collaboration will amplify the district’s cultural programme with a renewed focus on literacy and access to reading," the spokesperson added.
"Together, the two organisations will deliver a calendar of events designed to inspire Londoners of all ages to discover the joy of words, stories and learning." Announced during Fleet Street Quarter’s Festive Fleet Street lights switch-on, the moment was marked by Alexander Armstrong, actor, author and ambassador for the NLT, who pushed the button to launch Christmas in Fleet Street Quarter.
"According to the latest research from the NLT, only one in three children and young people read for enjoyment in their free time, the lowest levels of reading for enjoyment seen in two decades," the spokesperson for Fleet Street BID said.
"A generation of children are missing out on the benefits of reading, including the support it can give to their wellbeing, empathy, confidence and aptitude for learning. Together with the NLT, and as part of the National Year of Reading, the Fleet Street Quarter will promote and encourage reading for pleasure through pop-up installations, workshops, author events and storytelling experiences.
"These activations will celebrate the power of words to connect communities, while also raising vital funds and awareness for the National Literacy Trust’s mission to ensure everyone has the literacy skills they need to succeed in life."
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The partnership will also offer events as part of Fleet Street Quarter’s returning Festival of Words in May 2026, as a celebration of creativity, journalism, performance and literature. The line-up, due to be announced in early 2026, will feature authors, broadcasters, poets and publishers, alongside National Literacy Trust ambassadors.
Lady Lucy French OBE, CEO of Fleet Street Quarter and founder of Never Such Innocence, said: "Fleet Street has always been at the beating heart of Britain’s written word: a place where stories have always been born, ideas have taken shape, and where lives have been changed through the power of the printed word.
"Having been involved in giving children and young people a voice on conflict through poetry, speech and song writing I have seen first hand the impact words can have on people of all ages. I am hugely excited that our partnership with the National Literacy Trust builds on the extraordinary legacy of Fleet Street, empowering people and communities across the UK with the skills they need to change their stories – and maybe even the world."
Jonathan Douglas CBE, CEO of NLT, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Fleet Street Quarter to celebrate the written word in the very place that defined it. Together, we’ll bring the joy of reading to new audiences, creating moments that remind people how transformative literacy can be, for individuals, for communities and for the city itself."
Armstrong said: "As someone who believes deeply in the power of words and imagination, it was an honour to help Fleet Street Quarter celebrate the launch of its partnership with the National Literacy Trust. This is a place built on storytelling, and what better way to mark that than by lighting it up for Christmas for all to enjoy."
Throughout the year, Fleet Street Quarter and the NLT will collaborate on a variety of programmes, from literacy trails and community projects to author-led events and educational outreach. Programme announcement of partnership activities due 2026.
