// London’s West End to receive funding support from Westminster Council
// The council has set aside £190m for a support fund to help the West End’s recovery
The West End area of London is set to receive a support fund from Westminster Council in an effort to revitalise the district.
The council has set aside £190 million for a support fund to help the West End’s recovery post-pandemic.
Around £150 million of the support fund will be invested in redesigning Oxford Street and Strand Aldwych, to make the area more pedestrian friendly.
READ MORE: Weekend Tube strikes threaten recovery of London’s West End
This project was initially planned to begin in late 2021.
Part of the funding will be used for a series of free public art installations and performances to drive tourists to the area, as well as a deep cleaning programme to revamp its streets.
A total of £1 million has also been allocated for a recruitment drive to bring waiters, baristas and bar staff to struggling hospitality businesses.
The council has made a fresh call to the government to introduce a sales tax on online players to level the playing field with bricks-and-mortar retailers, and is also calling for the reintroduction of VAT-free shopping.
“At the heart of the capital, Westminster has a special role in the nation’s economy – we generate more than £60 billion a year and support one in eight jobs in the capital,” Westminster Council leader, Rachael Robathan said.
“Westminster and the West End were hard hit by lockdown. As the local authority area with more restaurants, bars and cafes than any other in the country, we feel we have a special obligation to support the hospitality industry, which is why we have today announced our new £1 million recruitment scheme.
“The venue owners work night and day to support jobs; the council can play its part by providing trained staff for those jobs.”
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