London’s West End footfall hits post-pandemic high over festive season

London’s West End recorded its busiest festive period since 2020, with the West End’s footfall reaching a post-pandemic high as shoppers, theatre-goers and visitors lingered longer in the capital’s central entertainment district.

New figures released by Heart of London Business Alliance show visitor numbers across Piccadilly, Leicester Square and Haymarket rose by 19% in December compared with the same month last year. Footfall was also 20% above the average recorded between 2022 and 2024, underlining a sustained recovery rather than a single seasonal spike.

The data suggests people were not only returning in greater numbers, but staying longer. Average dwell time increased by 42 minutes year on year, reaching two hours and 38 minutes overall, with the biggest rises seen on Sundays and Mondays. During the peak stretch between 15 and 29 December, visits were 35% higher than the post-pandemic average.

The central district monitored by the alliance accounts for around 12% of the wider West End, yet it plays an outsized role in the national economy. It contributes more than £12.8bn annually, supports over 117,000 jobs and attracts approximately 83 million visitors each year.

Mark Williams, deputy chief executive of the alliance, said the figures pointed to a clear pattern of recovery and resilience. “Today’s figures show that London’s West End continues to outperform national trends, with visitor numbers on the rise,” he said. “It underlines the area’s appeal as a global destination and the growing importance of what people come here to do, not just what they come here to buy.”

That shift towards experiences has been particularly visible during the festive season, when theatre, live entertainment, dining and late-night venues draw both domestic and international audiences into the area.

Simon Thomas, executive chairman of The Hippodrome Casino, said the Christmas period had demonstrated continued confidence in central London. “What matters most is the bigger picture,” he said. “This peak period showed that, even in challenging times, the West End remains one of the capital’s great economic and cultural engines.”

Despite the positive figures, business leaders cautioned that pressures remain. Rising business rates and operating costs continue to weigh heavily on hospitality, leisure and retail operators, even as demand strengthens.

Long-term trends in London’s visitor economy, including how people move through and spend time in central districts, are tracked by public bodies such as the Greater London Authority’s high streets and town centres data, which shows how footfall and dwell time have become key indicators of urban recovery.

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