RESIDENTS are being invited to give their views on the future of London's economy by contributing to the London Mayor's Draft Economic Development Strategy (EDS).

The strategy, which includes a consultation event at Ealing Town Hall on Monday, March 15, from 5.30pm-8.30pm, will enable people, businesses and communities to get involved at a local level to discuss the strategy and action plan based around four major themes.

They are London's infrastructure and places; investment in people; investment in knowledge and enterprise; investment in marketing and promotion.

The draft EDS is an action plan prepared by the LDA, the mayor's agency for business and jobs and is designed to include anyone involved in London's economy and concerned with its success.

It aims to ensure that the public, business and community sectors work together to respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the capital's economy.

Key areas of discussion include how best to enable more people to share in London's success, improve London's environment and make the city a more attractive place in which to live and work.

The consultation results will be fed into a final event on April 29, which will look at London-wide economic development issues.

Honor Chapman, LDA chairwoman, added: "London can be viewed as a business and like all successful businesses it needs an imaginative and robust business plan underpinning it.

"However, that does not mean neglecting the needs of deprived and excluded communities.

Growth needs to be planned in such a way as to ensure that all London's residents, businesses and communities benefit.

"In fact, it makes sound economic sense to ensure the economy grows in ways that are socially and environmentally responsible. London's success as a business location is due in no small part to the overall quality of life here - that means ensuring everyone who lives in the capital gets the chance to benefit from a growing economy and an attractive and protected environment."

If people would like to attend the event you can contact Emma Smith on 020 7403 7603 or email edsconsultation@lda.gov.uk If people cannot attend the event but would like to comment on the draft strategy, send a response to the same email address, see www.lda.gov.uk or write to EDS consultation, LDA Communication Team, 58-60 Devon House, St Katherine's Way, London E1W 1JX.