Traffic-free Oxford Street delivers boost for retailers Retail Retailers on London’s Oxford Street have seen their sales jump by nearly a fifth since the iconic shopping street was pedestrianised last month. The number of transactions at 40 Oxford Street stores jumped by 19 per cent in the first week of the scheme, compared both to the prior week and the same time last [...]
‘You can walk in the road!’: Inside Oxford Street’s first day without traffic Opinion As the first phase of the mayor's Oxford Street pedestrianisation project began, Anna Moloney rushed to Selfridges to soak up the scene.
Sadiq Khan urges banks to stay in London as tax raid looms Banking Sadiq Khan has urged London’s biggest banks to keep investing in the UK, days away from an expected tax raid on the sector. On Monday, the Mayor of London said the City’s banking sector is “really important” but refused to say whether he opposed the tax raid, adding that “those with broader shoulders carry the [...]
Oxford Street pedestrianisation is a win for London October 26, 2026 The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street will create a new a public realm where it is anticipated that people will enjoy the new space, stay longer and spend more, says Andrew Busby The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is the most radical project to hit the West End in decades. Almost a kilometre of the nation’s high [...]
Oxford Street goes traffic-free as Sadiq Khan launches pedestrianisation October 26, 2026 Oxford Street has become permanently traffic-free for the first time as London mayor Sadiq Khan presses ahead with a major overhaul of the capital’s busiest shopping district ahead of Christmas. Almost a kilometre of the famous shopping street, between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street, has closed to vehicles from Monday, ending decades [...]
HMV shuts flagship Oxford Street store just three years after comeback October 12, 2026 HMV is set to close its flagship Oxford Street store just three years after its comeback to the location where it was founded more than a century ago. The music and entertainment retailer said the site will shut its doors in March next year, blaming a doubled rent bill and the cost of “substantial” renovations. [...]
Burnham urged to boost West End with tax cuts and extra policing September 24, 2026 The West End risks losing its status as one of the world’s best shopping and hospitality destinations without immediate action to cut tax and boost policing, Andy Burnham has been warned. The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents 800 businesses involved in the world-famous district, has urged the government to slash business rates and [...]
Business rates cut will ‘backfire’ for Soho and West End September 22, 2026 John Healey’s plans to deliver an emergency tax cut for high street businesses would fail to boost most firms in London’s busiest areas like Soho and the West End, analysis suggests. The Chancellor is reportedly planning to cut taxes for pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants by hiking the threshold for small business rates relief (SBBR). [...]
Lita: The pursuit of the perfect neighbourhood restaurant August 26, 2026 After running a three-Michelin-starred kitchen, one chef has set out to create the ultimate neighbourhood restaurant at Lita in Marylebone, writes Carys Sharkey What makes the perfect neighbourhood restaurant? Some immediately come to mind: Perilla in Stoke Newington, Camberwell Arms in Camberwell, Chez Bruce in Wandsworth, Saikei in the retail complex side of Greenwich. All [...]
Why did Pinterest choose Oxford Street for its new HQ? August 14, 2026 Pinterest is not a bricks and mortar business, nor is it explicitly a retail one. So why choose Oxford Street for its slick new home?