May 2026 Old South Business Insider

LondonLondon OntarioOld South LondonWortley VillageBusiness
Written By Ian Sterling Leishman
👉 Old South Business Insider ✨> May OSBA Meeting Minutes ✏️
MAY AGENDA MEETING RECAP
Thursday, May 14, 2026 4pm-5pm
Location: Wortley Roadhouse

ITEMS:

Wellington Gateway Construction Challenges / Ways Forward
With James Scott, Construction Business Relations Coordinator, City of London
Gathering on the Green / OSCO Neighbourhood Update
With Margaret Hopkins & Amanda Austin
Free Tent Space @ GOTG through OSBA
https://www.oldsouthba.com/gathering
2nd Wharncliffe / Byron Collision into Commercial Building / Business Support
With Anam Arif
Commercial Recycling & Green Bin Discussion
Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor
Roundtable Business Updates & Promotions
From BluElephant.ca, Featherfields / Haven's Creamery, SOHO Community Organization Soaper Event.  
 

1. Wellington Gateway Construction Challenges / Ways Forward
With James Scott, Construction Business Relations Coordinator, City of London.



KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
- Construction impacts on businesses and residents continue to be a concern
- Residents raised concerns about:
       > Traffic flow confusion
       > Access to businesses
       > Emergency vehicle movement
       > Parking issues
       > Construction vehicle behaviour
       > Cycling and pedestrian access
- City staff encourages direct communication and issue reporting.
- Contact: James Scott, Construction Business Relations Coordinator, City of London, jscott@london.ca, 519.661.2489 X7548
- Wellington Gateway Phase 2 Construction Slides.

2. Gathering on the Green / OSCO Update
With Maragaret Hopkins & Amanda Austin

  • Amanda shared an update regarding fundraising efforts for Gathering on the Green.

  • Requests included:

    • Silent auction item donations

    • Posting promotional materials

    • Supporting local fundraising efforts

    • Letter / Flyer

  • At OSCO tent: Read / talk about sideway & traffic safety concerns, sign petition, renew / sign up to be an OSCO member.

  • EV charger is working again at Village Auto

  • Bike racks painted

3. Free GOTG tent space through The OSBA

4. Wharncliffe & Byron Collision Into Building / Business Support
With Anam Arif

  • Update provided regarding a second vehicle collision into Anam’s commercial building.

  • The building was still recovering from a previous incident in 2023.

  • Impacts include:

    • Significant building damage

    • Ongoing legal and insurance matters

    • Business interruption

    • Tenant support needs

  • One affected business, a hair salon and spa, is expected to remain closed during repairs.

  • Community members were encouraged to:

Discussion also included:

  • Signal redesign considerations

  • Long-term intersection improvements

  • Potential safety measures including barriers or bollards

 

 5. Commercial Recycling and Green Bin Discussion
With Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor

Business owners discussed ongoing challenges around waste and recycling:

  • Concerns about businesses losing access to municipal recycling options.

  • Concerns that recyclable materials could end up in landfill.

  • Advocacy efforts are underway regarding provincial policy changes.

  • Discussion included:

    • Green bin availability

    • Capacity limitations

    • Larger collection options

    • Improving waste containment and pickup systems

 

6. Business Community Roundtable

- BluElephant.ca with owner Craig Martin: Has oversized lawn games available for community use.
Examples:

  • Cornhole

  • Ladderball

  • Ring toss

Organizations planning events were encouraged to connect.

_______________________________

- Haven’s Creamery Summer Return, with Ashley Satchell, Featherfields

  • Haven’s Creamery announced a return to Wortley Village for the summer season.

  • The business will operate from the front porch of Featherfields at 176 Wortley Road.

  • Opening anticipated shortly after the long weekend.

  • Community partnerships and events may be incorporated throughout the season.

________________________________

SOHO Community Organization Soaper Event, with Mark Thomas, organization Chair.

  • Sunday, June 14th

  • Enter your team!

  • Registration now open.

  • Event Flyer

 

Mark your calendar with upcoming OSBA Meetings! Full list here:
Meetings schedule & locations

Or import the full schedule into your calendar with this calendar link:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=c_cac6d04119e668640f4f29fc2fb21595b1df58f21633bf999aace735c96edd73%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FToronto

A sincere thank you to James Scott, Business Relations Coordinator with the City of London, for joining Thursday’s Agenda meeting and taking part in an open discussion about the impacts of the Wellington Road construction. We appreciate you taking the time to listen directly to members of the business community and hear the concerns and experiences being shared.

We're hopeful that you will help move solutions forward sooner rather than later. We recognize that construction is a necessary part of a growing city, and we understand the challenge of balancing progress while minimizing disruption for the hardworking business owners and operators in Old South.

For those who have not yet added it to their calendars, be sure to save the date for the next Old South Business Association Business Mixer at the Idlewyld Inn next month! Enjoy a complimentary first drink and hors d'oeuvres from the OSBA, while connecting with fellow Old South businsesspeople.

If you're reading this, you're welcome to join us on Thursday, June 11, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the back courtyard, reserved for OSBA guests.

It's a great way to have our final get together for the summer.

We hope to see you there!

Ian

Ian Sterling Leishman
President
Old South Business Association
190 Wortley Road LL10
London, Ontario N6C 4Y7,  info@OldSouthBA.com
www.OldSouthBA.com, facebook.com/OldSouthBA
The most recent Old South business mixer at Luan's Seafood & Grill:
↓ ↓ ↓ The next Old South Business Mixer! ↓ ↓ ↓
With free hors d'oeuvres and first drink!
↓ ↓ ↓ Full 2026 Schedule! ↓ ↓ ↓
Do you know of a new business in Old South? Message us!
We're looking for the newest exciting additions to our amazing business community.
If you have seen a new business open up in the area, we'd love to know about it.
Would you like some OSBA pens or an outdoor sticker for your business? Contact us!
If you're conducting business in Old South, you're welcome to attend.  We also encourage you to get more involved and join the OSBA for just $100!


Whether you're already a member or just curious, you’re always welcome to join our Agenda Meetings. We share updates that impact Old South businesses and discuss ways to strengthen our local business community.
Join us in reaching new heights, strengthening each others business and the Old South neighbourhood as a whole!

NEXT OSBA EVENTS:
(Mark you calendars!)

- Old South Business Mixer: Thursday, February 12th, 4:30-6pm @ Luan's Seafood & Grill, 315 Wellington Road with free first drink & hors d'oeuvres.
- OSBA Agenda Meeting: Thursday, March 12th, 5p-6p @ the Sidetrack Café, 136 Wortley Road.
> Full Calendar of events
Hopefully we'll see you soon!

Board of Directors
Old South Business Association
190 Wortley Road LL10
London, Ontario N6C 4Y7,  info@OldSouthBA.com
www.OldSouthBA.com, facebook.com/OldSouthBA


 
(Annual Membership dues: Only $100! / Business outside of Old South: Only $150!)
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Ian Sterling Leishman


www.iansterling.com
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March 2026 Old South Business Insider