Footfall & sales in Oxford Street increased during pedestrianisation event
The Mayor’s “landmark” traffic-free “This is Oxford Street event has boosted the local economy, with footfall in the area increasing 45% compared with the week before. Almost 70% of stores on the street surveyed reported similar or higher sales than on a typical Sunday.
On 21st September, Oxford Street was closed to traffic between 12pm and 8pm for the “first event of its kind.” This gave a glimpse of what the street could look like under future plans by the Mayor. Themed zones featuring fashion, sport, music, food, heritage, and more spanned much of the half mile between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus.
The new data shows that the event was a “roaring success,” according to City Hall, underlining the “the positive impact a transformed Oxford Street will have on businesses across the district.”
A survey from New West End Company (NWEC) found that 67% of stores on the street reported similar or higher sales during the event compared with a typical Sunday, while 83% said they would consider taking part in similar events in the future.
Over three in four people surveyed said that it improved their experience of the street and over half specifically liked the increased pedestrian space.
TfL reported an increase in footfall as well with a quarter more passengers using Oxford Street, Marble Arch, Bond Street, and Oxford Circus compared with the previous Sunday. It also found that the event had a “minimal impact on road traffic.”
Oxford Street boosts the economy by £25 billion every year, welcoming over half a million visitors every day. In recent years, it has suffered due to the pandemic and the growth of online shopping and retail park.
The Mayor is moving ahead with bold proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Steet and “revitalise the area,” thanks to “overwhelmingly positive” feedback from the public and business to the proposals. The Mayor will be consulting later this year on changes to highways and public transport that would be required to close the street to traffic.
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