January update from New West End Company
Dee Corsi
Chief Executive
Looking ahead to 2025, this year is shaping up to be significant for New West End Company. And as we enter a pivotal BID renewal year, our focus is firmly on ensuring that New West End Company continues to deliver for our members and reflects the evolving nature of the district.
The BID renewal ballot in November represents an important opportunity for us to secure a fresh 5-year mandate to continue driving improvements and advocating for policies that support a thriving West End.
To help shape our plans for the next term, we are conducting our annual Members Survey, which closes today, 31 January. Your input will directly influence our business priorities, so don’t miss this chance to have your say. Complete the survey now and have the opportunity to win a £200 Selfridges gift card.
Security remains a key focus as we work together to create a safe and welcoming environment for businesses, workers, and visitors. Our continued partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service has delivered tangible results, including recent arrests of individuals involved in organised retail crime. We have also been working with members to promote free Counter Terrorism Awareness training, ensuring businesses are prepared to respond effectively to potential threats.
This month, we joined forces with BIDs from Edinburgh to Cardiff to launch High Streets UK – a pro-growth, nationwide partnership of flagship high streets set up to tackle the most pressing issues facing our high streets, and unlock fresh opportunities for growth. This initiative provides a powerful platform to bring issues such as business rates reform, retail crime, and tax-free shopping into sharper focus for policymakers. Learn more about High Streets UK and its mission here.
At the launch, held at the House of Commons on 14 January, we were delighted to welcome business representatives, members and key political figures, including the Retail and Policing Ministers, who both have expressed interest in being kept up to date with our programme of activity. Sign up to High Streets UK newsletter here for further updates.
Looking ahead to February, we are set to deliver our annual West End Retail Turnover Forecast at the start of the month, where we will share in-depth analysis of the district’s trading performance, in addition to an expert assessment of shifting consumer behaviours which are driving the evolution of the district.
Thank you for your ongoing collaboration and support.
INNOVATION & INSIGHTS
To ensure we continue to deliver on and invest in the services which matter most to you, we are currently running our annual members survey. This is a valuable opportunity for business members to feedback on our activity and help us define our business plan.
The survey, which closes today (31 January), should take no more than 9 minutes to complete. All individuals who fill out the form will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Selfridges gift card. Click here to participate.
On Thursday 6 February, our Director of Insights & Strategy, Paddy Gamble, will present New West End Company’s highly anticipated Annual Turnover Report – taking a deep dive into the district’s performance during the festive season and across 2024, as well as our 10-year forecast and consumer behaviour trends.
Attendees will also receive a keynote presentation from Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design, on the key drivers behind the evolution of retail.
This session is an opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the retail landscape, connect with industry peers, and explore the true value of retail in London’s iconic West End.
If you’d like to join us for this event, register your interest here, or please contact izzy.jacobs-coote@newwestend.com.
SECURITY & OPERATIONS
This month, New West End Company helped promote a suite of free Counter Terrorism Awareness training programmes which are offered to businesses by the Metropolitan Police Service. With the current threat level to the UK from terrorism sitting at “Substantial” – meaning an attack is likely - these sessions provide valuable content to ensure staff are well-prepared to respond to a situation or incident effectively. If you would like to discuss the above or arrange a session for your business, please do reach out to Jamie Conroy, Head of Security & Operations at Jamie.Conroy@newwestend.com.
New West End Company continues to work in close partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Recently, three arrests have been made of offenders known to be part of an organised retail criminal group – one of which was a direct result of collaboration between our Security team and the MPS.
Ahead of the national pro-Palestine demonstration, by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), on 18 January, New West End Company liaised collaboratively with the Metropolitan Police Service to keep members informed of planned activity, as well as any potential disruptions to business operations. Our Security team remained vigilant throughout the weekend, monitored for developments.
CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY
Fresh analysis from New West End Company, covered by The Times and The Telegraph, has found that the Government’s proposed business rates reforms could cost West End businesses an additional £44.5 million a year from 2026.
This shows that flagship high streets – which are significant national employers, anchors for nearby communities and drivers of local and national economic growth – will bear the brunt of the new policy, actively disincentivising brick-and-mortar investments in the long-term. We are submitting evidence which demonstrates the impact of the proposed changes to the Government’s consultation, on behalf of our business members, by the end of March.
To ensure your views are represented, we are currently developing a Business Rates survey, which will be shared with members shortly.
On 14 January, New West End Company co-launched High Streets UK – a pro-growth, nationwide partnership dedicated to developing programmes and policy recommendations which will enable flagship UK high streets to drive growth both locally and nationally. We are joined by founding members from Liverpool, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London and Newcastle BIDs.
To mark the initiative, business representatives, levy payers and key political stakeholders gathered together at the House of Commons on the evening of the launch. The event was attended, most notably, by Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports; Dame Diana Johnson, Policing Minister; Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business & Growth; Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, and Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.
Learn more about the initiative on High Streets UK’s website.
TfL have launched a consultation seeking views about licensing and regulating Pedicabs in London. One of TfL's main aims is to make pedicabs as safe as possible, including ensuring that they are driven, maintained and operated in a safe and professional way. New West End Company will be submitting a response in due course. If you'd also like to provide your feedback directly to TfL, click here. The consultation is open until 7 March.
EVENTS
Chief Executive Dee Corsi attended the annual London Government Dinner at Mansion House on 9 January. While delivering a keynote speech at the event, Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan announced areas of focus within the upcoming London Growth Plan – developed in close consultation with local councils, trade unions and business representatives like New West End Company.
We welcome the Mayor’s ambition of ensuring Londoners have the skills businesses need to spur growth. We submitted a response to the plan’s consultation at the end of 2024 and look forward to continuing working in close partnership with the Greater London Authority to realise this vision.
On 21 January, Danielle Purnell, Head of Partnerships, and Izzy Jacobs-Coote, Corporate Events and Community Manager at New West End Company, had the pleasure of attending the 10th edition of the Mayfair Times Community Awards. Hosted at The Biltmore and presented by Gyles Brandreth, with a special guest appearance from Sir Stephen Fry, the event celebrated the individuals and businesses making a positive impact on Mayfair, St James’s, and Marylebone.
We were delighted to see some of our members nominated, including The Connaught, The Arts Club, and Sketch. Congratulations to all the winners!
Our Head of Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Lorna Keegan, joined the NLA Late networking event, which brought together all NLA expert panellists across topics from work to high streets.
As part of the event, NLA’s team delivered an update on the New London Agenda – a framework for best practice in city-making, with direct contributions from over 400 people across public, private and charitable sectors, including New West End Company. We look forward to continuing working with the group to help shape a city fit for the future.
On 28 January, our Chief Operating Officer Lucy Mitchell attended the first Advisory Panel welcome event at Westminster City Council for the Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus programme. Spearheaded by Westminster City Council and The Crown Estate, the project aims to deliver public realm improvements on Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus – ensuring that these areas remain sustainable, inclusive and accessible.
DESTINATION MARKETING
We were thrilled to partner with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity as part of Oxford Street’s 2024 Christmas celebrations. GOSH’s mission is to help give seriously ill children the best chance, and childhood, possible. Tom Grennan, award-winning singer and songwriter, switched on the iconic starry lights on the street in support of the charity, with the help of Emily Mullen, who received life-changing care from GOSH. The campaign achieved remarkable results:
Bond Street also shone during the festive season with a dazzling CHANEL Fragrance & Beauty installation. The activation:
Drove 30k website sessions
IN THE DISTRICT
We look forward to welcoming new additions to the district, including Dries Van Noten first UK flagship in Hanover Square; Fanatics first-ever global flagship store for its Collectibles brand on Regent Street; and Mango's second flagship store on Oxford Street.
To celebrate the upcoming awards season, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is partnering with The Crown Estate to open the doors to its exclusive Members’ Bar & Restaurant at 195 Piccadilly for breakfast bookings, weekdays from 3 February. The opportunity is available for a limited time, so book now to experience one of London’s hidden treasures. Read the breakfast menu and make your reservation via OpenTable.
Lunar New Year is a key moment for businesses in the West End, with hundreds of visitors flocking to the district to enjoy the variety of celebrations it plays host to. To mark the arrival of the Year of the Snake, luxury retailers in our patch have pulled out all stops – from Vacheron Constantin's Zodiac-themed collection of watches to Mikimoto's new snake-shaped brooch.
