New West End Company news and archive

Mayor hails one-day Oxford Street car-ban as start of rescue plan

Over the weekend, London’s famed shopping destination, Oxford Street, underwent a car-free trial. The initiative was hosted as a way to exhibit what the street would be like once pedestrianised, a proposed project initiated by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. For one-day, September 21, the street from Oxford Circus to Orchard Street was closed for...

Retail

Oxford Street pedestrianisation project receives public backing

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s plans to pedestrianise iconic shopping street Oxford Street are set to go ahead after receiving backing from both the public and local businesses. A consultation addressing the project found that around seven in ten parties supported Khan’s transformation plans, while two-thirds specifically approved of the...

Fashion |Beauty

Chanel lights up New Bond Street in London

French luxury fashion and beauty house Chanel has switched on an exclusive Chanel N°5 light installation on Mayfair’s New Bond Street in London in collaboration with New West End Company. The Chanel Christmas light installation runs from Piccadilly to Oxford Street on New Bond Street and has been made from recyclable aluminium with 85,750 LED...

Retail

West End retailers miss out on 220 million pounds due to 'tourist tax'

It is no secret by now that retailers across London remain unhappy about the UK government’s decision to scrap tax-free shopping incentives for tourists. The resulting impact of the move was further emphasised in a new report by the New West End Company (NWEC), which represents the retail landscape for the West End district of London. In its...

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Business

New West End Company unveils manifesto “for growth” ahead of general election

The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents more than 600 UK and international firms in London's West End, has unveiled a new manifesto laying out policy priorities and recommendations for the future government ahead of the upcoming general election in the UK. The manifesto has been built on insights from its hundreds of members to outline...

Retail

NWEC: Oxford Street brings in highest sales of West End

Amid an ongoing rejuvenation of the famous shopping destination, the landlord of Oxford Street has shared data that shows such investments are beginning to pay off. New research carried out by New West End Company (NWEC) and property firm Colliers has said that Oxford Street was the “largest single component of the West End, both in terms of...

Retail

West End spend declined during festive season despite YoY footfall growth

New figures by the New West End Company (NWEC) have reflected an increase in footfall in contrast to a decline in spending, yet the company cited the festive season’s performance as “resilient”. Over the period, footfall was up 3 percent year-on-year, while spending decreased by 1 percent, driven by lower than expected domestic spending caused...

Retail

Boxing Day footfall up 5 percent in London’s West End

The festive season has rounded off on a positive note for London’s West End district, with Boxing Day footfall up 5 percent on 2022 levels, continuing the “buoyant” atmosphere seen throughout December as a whole. During the month, footfall grew 20 percent compared to November, and rose 6 percent compared to December last year. The New West End...

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Business

West End hit by ‘tourist tax’ despite rising footfall, new data suggests

London’s West End is feeling the impact of the UK’s ‘tourist tax’ despite an increase in footfall, new data suggests. While the iconic luxury shopping hub is enjoying a continued return of tourists following the end of lockdown restrictions, the gap between footfall and spend has widened in the second quarter when compared to pre-pandemic...

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Retail

West End forecast to achieve 10 billion pound turnover by 2025

London’s West End is expected to see revenues rise up to 10 billion pounds by 2025, despite a slowdown in recovery over the next two years. The figure comes as part of a new report by the New West End Company (NWEC), which represents retail, leisure and property owners across the areas of the West End, covering both the long-term forecasts and...

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Retail

West End sales to hit 1.55 billion pounds during ‘challenging’ festive season

In the build up to the first restriction-free Christmas in three years, British retailers could still be facing a number of headwinds brought on by the rising cost of living and the continued absence of international travellers. In London’s West End, forecasted sales are expected to hit 1.55 billion pounds, 28 percent less than the pre-pandemic...

Retail

The impact of Crossrail on retail in the West End

The delays of opening Bond Street on the new Elizabeth Line have finally come to an end, with the Crossrail officially open for business today. Joanna Lea, Director of Retail at Grosvenor Property UK, comments: “Today’s opening of Crossrail at Bond Street is welcome news for the West End and will provide a significant boost for the retail and...