“I want to make it the world’s leading shopping destination again. Working with the government, our plans to transform Oxford Street will help create new jobs and prosperity for the capital and the country,” Khan wrote on his social media account.
Oxford Street has been a much-loved shopping destination for Londoners and tourists alike for generations, but it has suffered greatly in recent years and is in need of a new lease of life. “With government support, our plans to pedestrianise and revitalise Oxford Street will restore it to its former glory,” he added.
Here’s a sneak peek of what Oxford St could look like in the future 👇🏽 image.twitter.com/0iTTFlYFqr
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) September 17, 2024
According to the Mayor’s Office, Oxford Street attracts more than 500,000 visitors a day and generates around five per cent of the capital’s economic output, equivalent to £22.75bn in 2019. It is home to numerous flagship stores, including Selfridges and John Lewis, as well as being a key shopping hub.
These 2017 designs show a vision for a more accessible and pedestrian-friendly street. Now we are reimagining them for our plans to transform Oxford Street into a beautiful public space.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) September 17, 2024
“While Oxford Street remains a vital part of the UK’s tourism, leisure and retail offering, generating revenue for the public purse that is reinvested across the country, it is in need of significant regeneration. Competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres, the closure of flagship department stores and the prevalence of ‘tuck shops’ have put significant pressure on Oxford Street’s attractiveness, while tourism numbers have not fully recovered since the pandemic,” said an official statement from the Mayor’s Office.
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“The Mayor is determined to reinvent and transform Oxford Street, working with businesses and Westminster City Council to create one of the world’s best public spaces and make the area substantially greener, cleaner and safer for everyone,” he added.
(Edited by: Jerome Anthony)
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