New West End Company

Like many business leaders across London, I have reached out to congratulate Sadiq Khan on his appointment on behalf of our members across the West End. We have appreciated an open dialogue with the Mayor and always welcomed his vocal support on issues which matter to the West End – including the need to reinstate tax-free shopping, and maintain London’s reputation as a cosmopolitan, international destination for business and visitors alike. I look forward to building on this in the years ahead.

The announcement that a General Election will be taking place in just a few short weeks took most by surprise. We have welcomed, thus far, the clear focus from both the Conservative and Labour parties on retail crime, with the safety of our high streets the basis of Labour’s “Taking Back Our Streets” Mission. We have also welcomed Labour’s commitment to reforming the unwieldly business rates system as part of its wider plan for high streets, which it launched in April.

Given the parties’ shared focus on delivering growth and being tough on crime, there are a number of policies which New West End Company and its members can engage in shaping – albeit in a much shorter time frame than initially expected. Our priority in the coming weeks will therefore be to act as a clear voice on behalf of our members on the issues that both matter to us, and are likely to be reflected in the party manifestos.

To that end, we will soon launch our West End Manifesto, which has been updated in light of the recent General Election announcement. Our engagement will be structured around the same three pillars announced at the start of this month: supporting opportunity and growth; ensuring the West End is safe and accessible; and promoting the district on the international stage.

A front page feature in the Evening Standard this month rightly shone a light on the once-in-a-lifetime transformation taking place on Oxford Street. I was delighted to be featured in the piece alongside Cllr Adam Hug, Lead of Westminster City Council, as we both spoke about how the Oxford Street Programme is set to revitalise the street.

It was a pleasure to be invited by The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports to the 10^th anniversary celebration of London Craft Week at 10 Downing Street, alongside other leaders in the creative sector. The evening was a fitting appreciation of the U.K.’s creative capital, and the craftsmanship which we are so proud to have on display in the West End. We cannot underestimate the value that these creators bring to the economy, and it is vital that we invest in their future success.

We welcomed the recent approval of two ambitious projects on Savile Row and in Soho, which will create high quality office and retail space which remains in demand across the district. The first proposal, to redevelop a former, unused, police station at the end of Savile Row, will help revitalise the northern end of the street with office and hospitality space, whilst simultaneously creating a rent-free tailors’ academy workspace. The latter, in Soho, will combine grade A office space with exemplary public provision, including a public seating space off Soho Square.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The Champions League Festival – organised to celebrate the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final, with activations across London – came to Regent Street from 30 May to 31 May. The street, closed to traffic, featured live entertainment, immersive sporting experiences and photo moment opportunities, including with the Champions League Trophy. The event led to a surge in visitation on Regent Street, with combined footfall across both days seeing an increase of 36% in the middle section of the street, and 66% at Hotel Café Royal. New West End Company worked closely with Greater London Authority, event organisers and The Crown Estate to ensure that event was a success, and that the area remained safe and accessible for all.

In May, Diptyque adorned Bond Street with a series of flags, designed by artisans at Studio Vitrail. Drawing inspiration from the herbarium of nature and scents characteristic of the brand, the design also features on stained glass windows in the French perfumery’s new Maison on New Bond Street. The store is one of the largest boutiques ever opened by the brand, matched only in size by its counterpart in Paris.

Earlier in May, Jamie Conroy, Head of Security & Operations, took part in a strategic table top exercise, also held at the Metropolitan Police Public Order Headquarters in Lambeth. The session was hosted by Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist and attendees – including those from 10 Downing Street, Home Office, Cabinet Office, Parliament, and police commanders – were asked to scenario plan for a large-scale protest within the West End of London.

The district continues to be affected by Pro-Palestine marches, with the most recent taking place on 18 May. To date, we have submitted three impact assessments to the Metropolitan Police Service, which have informed high-level decision making about the route of individual protests. We would ask that members which have been affected by the protests share their impact data with our Head of Security & Operations, Jamie Conroy, at jamie.conroy@newwestend.com

CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY

Following the announcement of a General Election, set to take place on 4 July, we are preparing to launch our West End manifesto in early June, alongside a targeted programme of pre-election activity. This will be shared with all members and available on our website once launched.

Our Head of Corporate Affairs and External Communications, Lorna Keegan, attended a breakfast roundtable with Lord Iain McNicol, Shadow Spokesperson for Business and Trade. Alongside leaders from across the retail, infrastructure and technology sectors, she discussed the need for close consultation on business rates reform, and greater planning resource to facilitate greater investment into the built environment.

INSIGHTS

Our latest West End Spotlight report, unveiled at our Agents Breakfast on 2 May, found that the West End is set to grow 5% in the 2024 with a forecast of £9.4 billion in sales. A combination of factors are set to drive this growth, from international sales – the biggest factor – to a strong pipeline of retail, leisure and hospitality openings. If realised, this would exceed pre-pandemic performance. That the West End continues to thrive against a challenging macroeconomic environment is testament to the breadth of the district's offer, and is a reflection of the continued confidence and investment in the area from all those who call it home. Click the image above to access the full report.

EVENTS

Dee Corsi attended BusinessLDN’s most recent Leading London Dinner, hosted by Transport for London’s Andy Lord, Transport Commissioner. In conversation with both Andy, and BusinessLDN CEO, John Dickie, she voiced New West End Company’s support for a well-funded public transport system, which has been so vital to the West End’s recovery post-pandemic.

Dee Corsi also took part in BusinessLDN’s post-Mayoral election briefing, an informal session with business leaders across the capital to share insights, and hopes for the future priorities of Sadiq Khan, as he begins his third term as Mayor of London.

Dee Corsi and Danielle Purnell, Head of Partnerships, were at this year’s UKREiif, where they attended a number of key events and panel sessions including a Places for London talk on ‘The Future of London’s Real Estate’ and a panel session on ‘Revitalising Communities’ at the JLL Pavilion.

COMING UP

We are delighted to be welcoming PROUD West End, our celebration of the West End’s LGBTQIA+ community, back to the district for the second year running. This year’s exhibition will be hosted at Grosvenor Square from 11 June until early July, and will once again feature “living portraits” of our community, which members of the public can interact with via a QR code. News of the exhibition has already been covered in Country & Town House and Secret London.

Join New West End Company, Grosvenor Property UK and Heard Storytelling on Tuesday 11 June from 17:30 to celebrate the launch of PROUD West End in Grosvenor Square. Hosted by Grosvenor Property UK at 70 Grosvenor Street, join your fellow business colleagues and community members from across the West End for an enjoyable evening of drinks, snacks and true storytelling from our LGBTQIA+ community. Click here to RSVP.

We are set to hold our Members Summer Social on 19 June, at the district’s newest luxury hotel, The BoTree. Attendees will be welcomed with a few words from Dee Corsi, and New West End Company Chairman, Paul Williams, before getting an exclusive look at our enhanced Insights Programme. To RSVP directly, please email izzy.jacobs-coote@newwestend.com

OTHER

Westminster City Council is conducting a survey to gather insights into local businesses’ experiences and preparedness regarding climate change and the associated risks. Click here to find out more and how your input will help shape the Council’s climate adaptation planning.

UCL is conducting a piece of research into night workers, the impact their work has on them, and the needs of those who keep the capital running throughout the night. The research aims to rectify the current lack of information on this demographic, and shape future policy making in this space. To fill out the survey, or pass it on to a night worker within your organisation, please click here.