Oxford Street to be Closed for Landmark One-Day Event, 'This is Oxford Street'

Strategic Insights -

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a landmark one-day event, 'This is Oxford Street', which will be held on Sunday, 21st September. The event will transform the nation's most famous high-street into a vibrant and bustling hub, with art installations, an urban forest, sports pitches, chill-out zones, live performances, and food and drink from around the world. The free event will showcase the potential of pedestrianisation and regeneration of Oxford Street, which has been the subject of a public consultation. The consultation showed that around 7 in 10 people supported the Mayor's transformative plans to regenerate Oxford Street, with two-thirds specifically backing the idea of pedestrianisation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 'This is Oxford Street' event will be held on Sunday, 21st September, and will feature art installations, an urban forest, sports pitches, chill-out zones, live performances, and food and drink from around the world.
  • The event will showcase the potential of pedestrianisation and regeneration of Oxford Street, with the aim of making it a world-class, accessible, clean, and safer destination.
  • Over 30 retailers on Oxford Street will offer bespoke deals and vouchers, and global brands and retailers, including Schuh, Holland & Barrett, Topshop, John Lewis, and The Body Shop, have been confirmed as event partners.
  • The NBA and Major League Baseball (MLB) will host a pop-up court and batting and catching cage for children and adults to test their skills.
  • The Mayor has pledged to pedestrianise Oxford Street and unlock its true potential to deliver a world-class, accessible, clean street for everyone.
  • The event will feature a children's literary festival, three stages, artistic workshops, and a wishing tree where families can write their wishes for the future of Oxford Street.
  • The mostly traffic-free street will also feature a 100-meter vinyl floor at its heart, showcasing the diversity of London's cultural identity.

Statistics:

  • Around 7 in 10 people supported the Mayor's plans to regenerate Oxford Street, with two-thirds backing the idea of pedestrianisation.
  • Oxford Street contributes an estimated annual £25 billion to London's economy, but has suffered from various reasons, including the pandemic and the growth of online shopping and retail parks.
  • Over 30 retailers will offer bespoke deals and vouchers for the event.
  • The event has drawn support from over 30 retailers and various businesses, including Schuh, Topshop, and The Body Shop.

Sources:

  • [1] "Mayor announces transformational 'This is Oxford Street' event to showcase potential of pedestrianised high street", [Mayor of London website, https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayor-of-london/mayor-announces-transformational-this-is-oxford-street-event]
  • [2] "Londoners back Mayor's ideas for pedestrianisation of Oxford Street", [Mayor of London website, https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayor-of-london/londoners-back-mayors-ideas-for-pedestrianisation-of-oxford-street]
  • [3] "Choose Love to showcase vital support for refugees and displaced people at 'This is Oxford Street' event", [Choose Love website, https://www.chooselove.org.uk/press-releases/choose-love-to-showcase-vital-support-for-refugees-and-displaced-people-at-this-is-oxford-street-event]
  • [4] "Mayor of London announces plan to unlock 'hidden potential' of Oxford Street and boost local businesses", [Mayor of London website, https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayor-of-london/mayor-of-london-announces-plan-to-unlock-hidden-potential-of-oxford-street-and-boost-local-businesses]