Oxford Street will be closed to traffic later this month for a one-day pedestrianisation trial, as plans to permanently transform the capital’s busiest shopping street move forward.
On 21 September, from 12pm to 8pm, the stretch between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus will be reserved for visitors as part of a free event featuring fashion, sport, music, food and wellness-themed zones.
The showcase aims to demonstrate the potential benefits of pedestrianising the wider section of Oxford Street between Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street — a proposal first unveiled by London Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier this year within a £90m regeneration scheme.
The move had already received broad backing, with two-thirds of respondents in a June consultation supporting full pedestrianisation and major retailers welcoming the plan.
-
Related Story
-
Khan has begun establishing a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to oversee the street’s regeneration, with detailed traffic and highway proposals to be consulted on later this year.
Organisers hope the day-long event will highlight how a car-free Oxford Street could boost footfall and improve the visitor experience, as the district continues to battle the effects of pandemic-driven store closures and the shift to online shopping.
Pop-ups, live performances, branded activations and a wellness zone in partnership with Holland & Barrett are among the attractions, with further retail collaborations set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
