As proposals to transform the nation’s high street progress, the new Chair of our West End Streets Steering Group, Andrea Merrington of The Howard de Walden Estate, sets out how a promising vision can be turned into reality.
Join us on 22 January when, in collaboration with the Westminster Property Association, we are convening an expert panel to discuss the future of Oxford Street and lessons learned from the London Legacy Development Corporation and pedestrianisation of the Champs Elysées.
It doesn’t feel like long ago that the Mayor’s welcome plans for pedestrianising the capital’s flagship shopping district hit the headlines. But the project has since gathered pace, and this month the organisation tasked with transforming Oxford Street officially launched.
The Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) that will drive a reshaping of the world-renowned centre for fashion, culture and culinary excellence was established on 1 January. The MDC model, which empowers the Greater London Authority to deliver community-led transformation across authority boundaries and at pace, has already had success at the former Olympic Park.
It’s crucial that national Government now gets behind plans to transform the shopping district. By providing backing for the Oxford Street MDC, Ministers can crowd in the private investment waiting in the wings to support the area’s revitalisation.
Oxford Street’s footfall has declined to just 57% of its 2006 levels, whilst Bond Street and Regent Street have maintained 98% and 83% of pre-pandemic footfall respectively. These stark figures underscore why bold interventions are needed.
The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is a project that’s long been championed by BusinessLDN’s West End Streets Steering Group (WESt). Established over a decade ago, WESt is a collective of landowners, consultants and business improvement districts which makes the economic, community and environmental case for sustainable placemaking across the West End and surrounding areas.
As activity on Oxford Street gathers pace, I’m delighted to have taken over as the Chair of WESt. Simon Loomes, Strategic Projects Director at The Portman Estate, remains in post as Vice-Chair. Oxford Street will naturally be a key focus area for the group over the coming months, but there is an array of high-quality public realm projects being delivered across the wider West End through cross-sector partnerships.
On Oxford Street specifically, our response to the GLA’s consultation in the summer stressed the need for close consultation with landowners and businesses within and around the proposed MDC area to ensure its long-term success. Clear governance structures, clarity around how developer contributions will be collected and reinvested, and the seamless integration with adjacent public realm projects will also be key. From the outset, we’ve stressed that great urban renewal happens when individual projects connect and reinforce each other.
Integral to the Mayor’s plans are The Portman Estate’s proposals to revamp the area around Marble Arch, which currently feels a world away from neighbouring Mayfair. It’s also great to see The Crown Estate working alongside Westminster City Council to draw up plans for pedestrianising and revitalising part of Regent’s Street.
The Grosvenor Estate’s proposals to overhaul Grosvenor Square and the Heart of London Business Alliance’s plans for St Martin’s Lane and the Arts Quarter are among other exciting projects in the mix that can help central London become an even better place to visit, work and do business.
As plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street progress, collaboration between the new MDC and businesses set to benefit from the area’s transformation will be key to their success. WESt will continue to be at the forefront of those discussions, making the voice of West End businesses heard to the benefit of all Londoners.