New West End Company

This week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the first Labour budget in 14 years, an event that has been highly anticipated since the formation of the government in July. It was a significant opportunity to unlock the economic potential of the UK’s retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.

However, the pro-growth measures businesses were promised before the election were notably absent. Crucially, for our members in the West End, the measures appear to add to, rather than alleviate, the financial pressures they face. That is why we are urging the Chancellor to go further to support the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, including swift and comprehensive business rates reform and the establishment of a national tourism strategy, with tax-free shopping as a central pillar. You can read my full response here. 

Last month, the Mayor of London and Deputy Prime Minister jointly unveiled an ambitious plan to revitalise Oxford Street through the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation. As I said at the time, we were pleased with this high-level recognition of the West End’s vital role as an engine for growth, not just for London but for the entire UK. Of course, the devil will be in the detail, and we are committed to working closely with the Government, the GLA, Westminster City Council, and the broader West End community to ensure the success of this transformative programme. I’m delighted to say these meetings are already starting to take place.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the Barcelona Oberta Summit, hosted by their Union of Commerce and Tourism Hubs. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the West End’s success story and the benefits our district delivers for businesses, visitors, and residents alike.

Looking ahead to the festive season, the Christmas lights across our district will shortly be switched on, sparking the start of the festive trading period. We are delighted to have partnered with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH) on Oxford Street this year as our charity partner.

To ensure a safe and vibrant festive period our Marketing and Operations teams have planned a series of exciting initiatives for November and December, including transforming Oxford Street into a hub of festive activities, entertainment, and in-store experiences on 7 December for our ‘Big Day of JOY’, a special Bond Street Shopping Experience, and enhanced security and cleansing measures across the district.

We are predicting that festive spending in the West End is set to reach £1.7bn across November and December according to our festive forecast, a 3.2% increase on last year. While domestic shoppers remain cautious, we’re expecting a boost in international spending, projected to rise by 5.8% as visitors from key markets such as the Gulf, China, and the US return to the capital. Our biggest spending moment is expected over the weekend of 7/8 December, with a forecasted £40-50 million to be spent across the district. The media has already started picking up on our festive momentum, with coverage from the BBC, ITV News, The Independent, The Standard, and City AM.

As we head into this important trading period, we are ready to support our businesses and ensure the West End remains a world-class destination for retail, leisure, and hospitality.

I look forward to celebrating this exciting season with you.

CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY

Yesterday, Rachel Reeves delivered her ‘Budget for Growth’ – but the pro-growth measures promised to businesses before the election were notably absent. Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses now face a steep increase in National Insurance for Employers, and an upcoming rise in the national living wage. And, although the government’s business rates discussion paper is a positive start, it is crucial that any reform does not inadvertently impact retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses in high-value areas like the West End. Read our full reaction here.

At the beginning of the month, New West End Company's Chief Executive, Dee Corsi, and Director of Communications and Campaigns, Nathan Parsad-Wyatt, attended the Conservative Party Conference. It was a valuable opportunity to engage in conversations with potential leadership teams about the future direction of the party - and discuss what role the West End might play in it.

The West End is known globally as a premier retail, leisure, and hospitality destination year-round, but during the festive season, it becomes something truly special. This year, we are forecasting another year-on-year growth, driven by an influx of international visitors, who have been key to our post-pandemic recovery. Our analysis has already been highlighted by media outlets such as the BBC, ITV News, The Standard, and The Independent.

However, more still needs to be done to secure the UK’s global competitiveness. We continue to urge the Government to develop a comprehensive tourism strategy that unlocks growth for the capital and the wider UK. A cornerstone of this strategy should be the reintroduction of tax-free shopping, a policy that, while not included in this Budget, remains a key focus of our campaigns. Our Chief Executive, Dee Corsi, recently expanded on these points in an opinion piece for BusinessLDN.

As part of our ongoing advocacy, we have invited ministers to the West End for guided tours. This includes the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson DBE, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Services, Small Business, and Exports. These walkabouts will allow us to showcase not only the challenges faced by our business members but also the vibrant retail, leisure, and hospitality experiences that make the West End a global destination.

On 26 October, Chief Executive Dee Corsi, participated in the annual Barcelona Oberta Summit, organised by Barcelona’s Union of Commerce and Tourism Hubs. She was part of an international panel of experts discussing the impact of high streets on local communities and the essential role of retail in urban transformation.

Additionally, we remain actively engaged with consultations to ensure our members' priorities are represented in new policies. We will soon be submitting our response to the Mayor’s London Growth Plan, alongside recent submissions to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding demolition and retrofit policies, and the London Assembly’s investigation into the state of London’s High Streets.

INSIGHTS

On 2 October, we gave members an exclusive first look at our festive forecast – including projected West End sales and top performing retail categories across November and December – at New West End Company’s annual Festive Update, held this year at the Regent Street Cinema.

It was also a great opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of our Enhanced Insights Programme, along with our most recent consumer insights survey, including an in-depth analysis of West End visitors. From consumer behaviour trends to overall district sentiment, these findings aim to shed a light on how businesses members could make improvements to encourage repeat visits.

We are also pleased to announce that after several years of working 2 days a week in a contract capacity, Paddy Gamble has been appointed as our Director of Insights, effective from January 2025. Paddy has been a tremendous asset, leveraging his expertise in data and analytics to deliver actionable insights to our members. His deep understanding of the West End's unique challenges and opportunities will continue to be instrumental as we strive to be a data-driven organisation that leads the way in retail, hospitality, and leisure. We are thrilled to welcome Paddy into this new role, and we look forward to continuing to deliver valuable insights to support our members’ growth.

DESTINATION MARKETING

In the West End, it’s beginning to look a look a lot like Christmas. In the ultimate celebration of Christmas cheer, Oxford Street will play host to Big Day of JOY in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH) on 7 December, transforming the iconic destination into a vibrant hub of festive activity.

To help promote this one-day extravaganza which is set to dazzle with on-street performances, unmissable in-store activities, and a plethora of festive experiences, our Marketing team has been working extensively on a PR and paid media campaign. So far, we have surpassed 2023 in numbers of coverage, being featured in the likes of The Guardian, Secret London, Londonist, and Time Out.

As part of our focus on boosting international tourism for the district, and building on previous campaign successes, this Christmas we will be focusing on both international and domestic markets, targeting key cities in the US with dominant international travel routes, as well as the domestic ‘Home Counties’ and wider UK audiences.  

To take the stress out of Christmas party planning, we have prepared a roundup of great options in the West End. From Amalfi’s Christmas menu to Market Halls packages, Stick ‘n’ Sushi festive group set menus and Brasserie of Light’s impressive dining room at Selfridge’s – there truly is something for everyone to kick start the party season. Click the image below to read the article.

Our Bond Street lights switch-on event will take place on Thursday 14 November 2024, which will involve a road closure on Bond Street. The event will feature a small stage at the focal point of the switch-on, as well as a limited number of activations, including carol singers, hot chocolate carts, and mulled wine stalls.

On 4 December we will once again be hosting a private shopping event on Bond Street, following last year’s success, when we saw a 65% uplift in evening spend. To find out more information on how to get involved please contact Danny Sullivan danny.sullivan@newwestend.com.

From 11 – 13 October, we had the pleasure of hosting American journalist Anne Fritz (Reader’s Digest) and her 11-year-old son on a tour of the West End. From BoTree’s luxurious guestroom to Aqua Kyoto’s world-class menu and, of course, John Lewis and Selfridges shopping experiences, Anne’s itinerary showcased the best Oxford Street and the West End have to offer, highlighting our district as a great place to visit and spend time as a family.

SECURITY & OPERATIONS

As part of Safer Business Action Week, our Security team partnered with the Metropolitan Police Service and Safer Business Network to deliver a range of district-wide initiatives aimed at increasing safety. These included boosting high-visibility security, increasing police presence through joint patrols, visiting local businesses, and distributing informative leaflets to visitors. The Metropolitan Police also carried out targeted operations to deter criminal activity, with a particular focus on gathering intelligence on prolific offenders. Across the week, 174 officers were deployed, resulting in 46 stop-and-searches and 22 successful arrests.

On 8 October, our Security team attended Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation training led by a specialist from the Metropolitan Police Service. This session provided valuable insights into the methods used by criminals involved in these crimes and helped our team identify key warning signs to prevent such activities within the district. To continue raising awareness, we will be hosting a similar training session for New West End Company’s wider teams, as well as an informative webinar for our members.

We’re also pleased to announce the return of Operation West End for its third year, bringing a month of additional security and cleansing activities as we approach the festive period. Designed to provide an extra layer of assurance for members and visitors, this initiative comes at a time of high footfall across the district. Members can expect several key enhancements to our Security and Cleansing services in the four weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve. These will include a stronger, dedicated police presence, deep cleansing of all station gateways, flushing of all 82 streets (including side streets), removal of chewing gum, graffiti removal, and bin washing. We will also provide shopfront improvement guides for businesses. Additionally, security will be increased every Saturday in December, and peak days such as New Year’s Day. Joint patrols between the New West End Company’s Security team and the Metropolitan Police Service will ensure a safe and clean environment throughout the festive season.

On 16 October, as part of Safer Business Action Week, we hosted a drop-in ‘Meet and Greet’ session for members to engage with the new Town Centre Team (TCT) policing unit, which included representatives from the Westminster Police Senior Leadership Team. The TCT’s core aim is to build stronger relationships with local stakeholders and the business community, with New West End Company acting as a key local partner. Already, the TCT has had a tangible impact, including the arrest of a well-known offender involved in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), who was identified on Regent Street.

In recent months, our Security and Cleansing teams have been working to address the issue of an individual causing damage to street plants around North Audley Street. The suspect, who had caused over £47,000 worth of damage, has been a significant concern. Our Head of Security and Operations, Jamie Conroy, and Head of Public Realm and Infrastructure, Richard Lancaster, have been regularly meeting with members at Grosvenor and the local police unit to find a solution. On 17 October, our Security team successfully detained the individual, who was arrested for criminal damage. This is a prime example of effective collaboration with our members to maintain a safe and secure district.

SUSTAINABLE DISTRICT

We’re excited to announce the launch of our first Sustainability Report, focusing on Urban Greening.

Just over a year ago, we introduced A Sustainable District as the fourth pillar of New West End Company’s 2020–2025 Business Plan. This came from actively listening to our members, who made it clear that sustainability is a key priority. Our on-street visitor surveys also underscore this, with “more spaces to relax” and “more green spaces” consistently topping the list of desired improvements to the West End.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, we’re building on the exceptional work our members are already doing. We don’t need to look far for inspiration - it is right here on our doorstep. That’s why we’ve launched this report series: to highlight and complement our members’ efforts, sharing tailored innovations that suit the specific needs of the West End. This report allows us to learn from one another, featuring best-practice case studies directly from those driving these initiatives. You can read the report here.

EVENTS

Our Chief Executive, Dee Corsi, joined our Chairman, Paul Williams, at the Mayor of London’s Annual Business Reception on 16 October, where they met with other business leaders from across the capital. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, outlined his vision for London’s future growth, solidifying the city's reputation as a global hub for inward investment. It was a fantastic opportunity to represent the voice of our members among senior figures, including Howard Dawber (Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth), Seb Dance (Deputy Mayor for Transport), and Andy Lord (Commissioner of Transport for London).

Our Director of Communications and Campaigns, Nathan Parsad-Wyatt, attended the Building London Planning Awards on 16 October, hosted by Deputy Mayor for Planning & Regeneration, Jules Pipe, and BusinessLDN, alongside partners such as Derwent London, The BAME Planners Network, Planning Officers Society, and the RTPI. This year’s winning projects showcased the best in design, sustainability, and innovation across London’s built environment, and it was inspiring to witness their contributions to shaping the city’s future.

On 9 October, New West End Company attended the launch of Inclusive Spaces and Places, a collaborative report by Grosvenor and The Crown Estate exploring the need for and impact of a more inclusive built environment. At the event, Simon Harding-Roots (Managing Director for The Crown Estate's London portfolio) and Amelia Bright (Grosvenor’s Executive Director of the London Estate) discussed the current opportunities and challenges in embedding inclusive design practices. A keynote by Ade Adepitan MBE powerfully highlighted the lived experience of inaccessibility. Attendees also heard from a diverse panel including Amanprit Arnold from the Greater London Authority and Ed Warner MBE from Motionspot. As part of the wider working group, New West End Company is proud to support the report’s five public commitments to creating a more inclusive built environment and recognises the need to address both technical and organisational barriers to inclusive design.

New West End Company is delighted to invite our business members to a drinks reception on 26 November to celebrate the festive magic in the West End and toast to a prosperous season. In support of Oxford Street's charity partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH) this Christmas, we will be hosting a special prize raffle at the event. Raffle tickets can be purchased on the night from £5, with all proceeds going to GOSH Charity. RSVP here.

IN THE DISTRICT

We are delighted to welcome Future Stores to Oxford Street. Containing 400m² of high-definition Micro LED displays and billboards, the space will transform the way visitors experience retail into a dynamic, interactive experience. Opening on 30 October, it is the first of its kind in the world – and there’s no better place for it than the West End.

The Halcyon Gallery is currently presenting a comprehensive collection of works by one of Britain’s most celebrated artists - David Hockney - at 148 New Bond Street until 31st December. Spanning six decades of his illustrious career, the works date from 1967 to 2018, and include his iconic pool images, self-portraits, portraits of friends, still lifes and landscapes.

It's one of the best-loved video games of all time - and now Tetris’s 40th anniversary is set to be celebrated with the largest interactive multiplayer version of the game ever. From 26 October, fans of the world famous block-stacking game can join up to six others for a supersized match at London's Outernet, Europe’s largest digital exhibition space.

Westminster City Council are hosting a Responsible Business Network - “Meet the Charity” event on Monday, 4 November 2024, where you can connect with local charities and help deliver positive local impact. This networking afternoon is a great opportunity to meet with organisations working on key issues such as the climate crisis and homelessness, and help build a stronger charity sector in Westminster. RSVP here.