Mayor announces initiatives to boost West End trade
Mayor of London Boris Johnston, Westminster City Council and West End retailers have joined forces to launch two new initiatives aimed at boosting trade in London’s Oxford Street.
In a week when figures showed that March retail spend in the West End dropped by 4.1% year-on-year, plans have been announced to introduce two additional traffic free days in December. These include the biggest shopping day of the year which is Boxing Day on 26 December, and a traffic-free weekend for the annual VIP Days on 10 and 11 December. The new traffic-free days are expected to result in an extra spend of £50 million.
In a separate initiative, New West End Company is working in partnership with the Mayor, Transport for London, Westminster City Council and West End retail leaders to submit their top tips for a new campaign ‘West End Travel Advice’. This aims to encourage shoppers and visitors to explore alternative pathways and pit stops and even discover new territories in London’s West End, whilst major Crossrail and Tube upgrade works are carried out over the next seven months on Oxford Street.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said, “At a time when the focus on the capital is more intense than ever, the success of the West End will play a vital role in securing London’s reputation. I am delighted we have been able to secure two new dates for the hugely popular traffic-free events, which will give retailers a major boost and set the tills ringing throughout the West End.”
Cllr Brian Connell, Westminster Council Cabinet Member for Business, added, “The last couple of years for businesses haven’t been easy but the West End has proved incredibly resilient. Previous VIP days have proved to be a welcome boost to the West End’s shops, restaurants, theatres and cinemas and we hope to see that success continue.”
