New West End Company

It is at this time of the year that we begin to look ahead to all that we want to achieve across the next twelve months, whilst also reflecting on what has come before.

There is much to be optimistic about in the capital – something I heard first-hand at MIPIM 2024. Alongside New West End Company colleagues, I had the pleasure of shining a spotlight on the once-in-a-lifetime transformation that is happening on Oxford Street, with the launch of our new report, ‘Oxford Street: 2030’, which we created in partnership with Colliers.

The report explores this transformation in detail, convening senior stakeholders from across the district and local government to give their own expert assessment of what the future holds for the nation’s high street. Over the course of these conversations, one thing that was abundantly clear was just how much the street means to everyone who has a stake in it – whether they are an owner, an occupier, a temporary custodian, or a visitor.

A core component of the street’s transformation is the public realm, with work set to begin on the landmark £90 million Oxford Street Programme in the near future, and recent forecasts from Colliers putting its value at up to £2.8 billion in additional sales in the first five years following completion. It is clear that we are at a pivotal turning point, which will have a positive impact on not just Oxford Street but the entire district - I look forward to going on that journey with you.

The highly anticipated Spring Budget on 6 March was yet another missed opportunity to reinject growth into the national economy, with the failure to reinstate tax-free shopping. Despite our disappointment, we will continue to engage with Government, Treasury and Shadow Cabinet, to make clear the scale of the opportunity that tax-free shopping represents, not only in the West End, but nationwide – in particular, the creation of a net new visitor market from the European Union. Read our full statement on the Budget here.

As we embark on a new BID year, the team at New West End Company and I eagerly anticipate sharing our upcoming initiatives to further strengthen our partnership with our members in the year ahead.

OXFORD STREET: 2030

We launched our latest report, “Oxford Street: 2030”, at MIPIM 2024 in partnership with Colliers, outlining the key shifts taking place on Oxford Street as it redefines what it means to be a flagship retail and leisure destination. Bringing together senior voices from across retail, placemaking and property, the report explores how seismic shifts in consumer expectations and changes in the macroeconomic environment have triggered a radical reappraisal of British retail, alongside data revealing the rapid shift in mix and additional sales growth set to be generated by the street’s landmark £90 million public realm enhancement programme. You can read the report in full by clicking here.

The report has also been covered by international, national and trade press, including Property Week, WWD, Drapers, Retail Week and Evening Standard print edition.

MIPIM 2024

New West End Company were in attendance at MIPIM 2024, with Dee Corsi, Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer, and Lorna Keegan, Head of Corporate Affairs, joined by Paddy Gamble, Head of Retail Strategy and Analytics at Colliers to promote the West End, in the “Oxford Street: 2030 report” and engage with the wider London and international property community.

Dee Corsi took part in two panel discussions at the London Stand, titled ‘City Centres: Do or Die?’ and ‘Investing in a Trillion Dollar Economy’. Both panels explored what it is that makes London such a unique and desirable investment opportunity, as well as the role world-class placemaking, and the part that public-private partnerships can play in driving a sustainable economic future for the capital. Dee was joined by leaders from across the BID and property world, including Darren Rodwell, Executive Member, London Councils; Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman, City of London; Sharvan Joshi, City of London; and Ruth Duston OBE, Primera.

On the final evening of MIPIM 2024, we hosted the annual Champagne Reception in partnership with James Andrew International and United Trust Bank Limited at the Majestic Hotel. A big thank you to Harvey Soning and Harley Kagan for a memorable evening.

Left: Dee Corsi Speaking on Opportunity London Panel. Right: Dee Corsi and Paddy Gamble presenting Oxford Street: 2030 at MIPIM 2024.

Left: Dee Corsi, Harvey Soning and Harley Kagan at MIPIM 2024 Closing Reception. Right: NWEC Team at MIPIM 2024 Closing Reception

OXFORD STREET PROGRAMME

On 7 March, we shared an exclusive first look at how the Oxford Street Programme designs have progressed following last summer’s public consultation. 
 
At the event, the latest information on the changes to the public realm environment were presented, including details regarding the proposed granite footway paving and the high-quality designs for new lighting, seating and planting. The session was supported by scale models depicting the new street environment.
 
Sample panels of the proposed granite footway materials have since been installed along Oxford Street in three locations – outside Regent’s Hall, at Great Titchfield Street and John Lewis. Installing the sample panels will assist us in evaluating the aesthetic impact of the materials in a street-setting, as well as their durability when exposed to the high levels of footfall along Oxford Street.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Following evidence shared directly by New West End Company at a Metropolitan Police Service senior strategic leadership meeting, the decision has been taken by the police and the event organisers to re-route the upcoming national Pro-Palestine march away from the central BID area. This is a positive outcome for the district and is testament to the ongoing working partnership and dialogue between New West End Company and senior leadership in the Metropolitan Police Service. We would like to extend our thanks to any members who kindly shared their own impact data with us as part of this ongoing discussion regarding significant protests in the West End.

On 21 March, New West End Company hosted its annual Safer Business Action Day in partnership with Safer Business Network and the Metropolitan Police Service. Working alongside both partners, New West End Company’s Security team conducted joint patrols and business reassurance visits, with the aim of deterring crime and ensuring businesses across the district felt safe and supported. The initiative was a success, and a fantastic example of collaboration. We would like to thank our partners at Safer Business Network and the Metropolitan Police Service for their support and involvement.

To enhance district resilience and incident preparedness, New West End Company has invested in a number of high quality Corrosive Substance Attack Kits for the district. The kit is industry leading and allows first responders to administer effective first aid by drawing out the solution, rather than relying on access to running water. Corrosive Substance Attack Kits are as essential as a defibrillator or standard first aid kit, and a welcome enhancement to our existing trauma kits, which have already been deployed across the district. If you would like more information about this industry leading solution, or to enquire about purchasing a kit for your own business, please contact Jamie Conroy, Head of Security and Operations, at jamie.conroy@newwestend.com

In a first for the district, on Sunday 10 March, Oxford Street lit up with a dazzling Ramadan display, in a privately funded initiative from charity, Algbra X. On display until 9 April, the lighting creates small moments of celebration throughout the month of Ramadan, whilst visitors shop for Eid gifts, or are simply enjoying quality time with family or friends. In keeping with sustainability commitments made by New West End Company for its own festive lighting displays, Algbra X’s lights are operating on a timer, limiting energy use.

CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY

We are set to launch our West End manifesto, with key policy asks for the next Mayor of London in April. The manifesto will outline how we plan to take forward campaigns on tax-free shopping, business rates reform, planning reform and more, in partnership with the Mayor of London and national Government. 

We welcomed the swift movement of the Pedicabs (London) Bill through the House of Commons this month – once implemented, the long overdue licensing system, campaigned for tirelessly by Westminster City Council and Nickie Aiken MP will have an immediate, positive impact for the West End. We continue to urge for a review of the wider Transport Bill without delay, to include similar regulation of both e-bikes and e-scooters.

EVENTS

New West End Company attended London & Partners’ ‘Tourism Means Business’ event in mid-March, where they heard from industry leaders about the continuing role sustainability and destination marketing will play in driving visitation, including a positive trajectory for international visitation partnerships. A particular highlight was the panel on Artificial Intelligence, which was hosted by London & Partners’ Marketing Director, Rose Wangan-Jones and explored the value of leveraging the technology to enhance a destination’s digital marketing channels.

On 27 March, Lorna Keegan, Head of Corporate Affairs, attended the launch of Business LDN's Manifesto for the next London Mayor. The event opened with rousing call to action from both John Dickie, CEO of Business LDN, and Andy Silvester, Editor of City AM, about what needs to be done to set the capital on a clear path to growth in the years ahead. You can read the manifesto here.