UK's busiest high street set to ban cars – turning it into ‘world-class' tourist attraction
THE UK capital could see big changes this summer amid the Mayor's plans to regenerate Oxford Street and introduce Al Fresco dining across the city.
Sadiq Khan
plans to pedestrianise the famous street in central London, which is the busiest shopping street in Europe and which includes popular destinations such as Selfridges,
John Lewis
and more recently,
Ikea
.
4
There will also be more outdoor summer dining across London this summer
Credit: Alamy
These businesses have also backed the plans which aim to boost
retail
and drive growth for London.
The
Traffic and highway proposals will be developed and consulted on later this year.
A new report published by the Mayor of London found that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Londoners are in favour of pedestrianising Oxford Street.
Read more on London
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "It's clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I'm pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible.
"We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and
"This will help to attract more international visitors, and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation,
driving
growth and economic prosperity for decades to come.
"Our plans are not only about creating a beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect – but transforming Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of, as we continue to build a better London for everyone."
Most read in News Travel
Deputy Prime Minister,
jobs
for local people, and providing a boost to economic growth in the capital in line with our Plan for Change."
In addition to the new plans for Oxford Street, the Mayor has also revealed that a number of different areas in London will gain al fresco dining and later opening hours this
summer
.
Dubai Ice Cream
Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and the West End will all gain outdoor dining for the summer months, after the Mayor has been granted licensing powers from Government to help boost the capital's nightlife.
In Westminster, the widely popular al fresco dining programme that was seen during the
pandemic
will return on St Martin's Lane in the
The street will be car-free from 11am to 11pm and al fresco licenses will be available available for up to 34 businesses.
Plans will be developed in the coming months to make this permanent.
In Shoreditch, for the first time ever independent bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street will offer outdoor dining and drinking until midnight.
4
Oxford Street's pedestrianisation could completely change Europe's busiest shopping street
Both streets will be car-free on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer.
In Brixton, there will be 400-square-metres of outdoor dining space for around 80 extra tables and 400 extra seats for businesses in Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road.
Running on selected weekends, the roads will become car-free zones until 10pm, with daytime activities including food markets, art workshops and live music.
In Leyton, Francis Road will extend its car-free hours and boast seating, outdoor games, late events and a weekend market.
The £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will ultimately enable areas across the city to open-up to more guests across longer hours this summer.
4
Both are part of plans to make the city more welcoming
Credit: Alamy
The hope is that the scheme will also be expanded in the coming years.
Sadiq Khan said: "The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we're looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead.
"London's food, drink and nightlife scenes are world-class and I'm determined to do all I can to help them thrive.
"With new licensing powers granted by Government being developed, I'm looking forward to doing even more - working with boroughs, businesses and the
police
to drive forward more initiatives like these."
Also,
Plus, the
4
It comes after the Mayor has been given more licensing powers
Credit: Alamy
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THE UK capital could see big changes this summer amid the Mayor's plans to regenerate Oxford Street and introduce Al Fresco dining across the city. Sadiq Khan plans to pedestrianise the famous street in central London, which is the busiest shopping street in Europe and which includes popular destinations such as Selfridges, John Lewis and more recently, Ikea . 4 There will also be more outdoor summer dining across London this summer Credit: Alamy These businesses have also backed the plans which aim to boost retail and drive growth for London. The Traffic and highway proposals will be developed and consulted on later this year. A new report published by the Mayor of London found that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Londoners are in favour of pedestrianising Oxford Street. Read more on London Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "It's clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I'm pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible. "We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and "This will help to attract more international visitors, and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come. "Our plans are not only about creating a beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect – but transforming Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of, as we continue to build a better London for everyone." Most read in News Travel Deputy Prime Minister, jobs for local people, and providing a boost to economic growth in the capital in line with our Plan for Change." In addition to the new plans for Oxford Street, the Mayor has also revealed that a number of different areas in London will gain al fresco dining and later opening hours this summer . Dubai Ice Cream Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and the West End will all gain outdoor dining for the summer months, after the Mayor has been granted licensing powers from Government to help boost the capital's nightlife. In Westminster, the widely popular al fresco dining programme that was seen during the pandemic will return on St Martin's Lane in the The street will be car-free from 11am to 11pm and al fresco licenses will be available available for up to 34 businesses. Plans will be developed in the coming months to make this permanent. In Shoreditch, for the first time ever independent bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street will offer outdoor dining and drinking until midnight. 4 Oxford Street's pedestrianisation could completely change Europe's busiest shopping street Both streets will be car-free on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. In Brixton, there will be 400-square-metres of outdoor dining space for around 80 extra tables and 400 extra seats for businesses in Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road. Running on selected weekends, the roads will become car-free zones until 10pm, with daytime activities including food markets, art workshops and live music. In Leyton, Francis Road will extend its car-free hours and boast seating, outdoor games, late events and a weekend market. The £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will ultimately enable areas across the city to open-up to more guests across longer hours this summer. 4 Both are part of plans to make the city more welcoming Credit: Alamy The hope is that the scheme will also be expanded in the coming years. Sadiq Khan said: "The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we're looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead. "London's food, drink and nightlife scenes are world-class and I'm determined to do all I can to help them thrive. "With new licensing powers granted by Government being developed, I'm looking forward to doing even more - working with boroughs, businesses and the police to drive forward more initiatives like these." Also, Plus, the 4 It comes after the Mayor has been given more licensing powers Credit: Alamy
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'Yoo Capital said they won't gentrify and will regenerate it instead… I'm not worried as long as it's not gentrified.' 10 Market trader Bobby Singhy, 45, operates a stall previously occupied by his grandad and dad Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Abdul Idris, 60, believe the area needs a change Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Tony Lucky, 67, said online shopping and parking price rises are killing the market Credit: Paul Edwards The developers' deal struck with the council will see new homes and shops at one end, and investment in the rest of the market space. But not everyone is convinced it will be a good thing. 'There's a danger of Shepherd's Bush Market becoming 'This market is so multicultural and has a lot of life. "We have a wave of Asians, Afghans, Arabs and any changes may put people off from entering. "And that includes any major changes Yoo Capital makes." Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China. 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She added, 'The Market will remain open throughout the works, with efforts in place to minimize any disruption.' Ms Page-Jennings said traders will be offered support worth over £5 million, including rent-free options during construction, sabbaticals, or lease buyouts. Those choosing to stay can access compensation of £7,500 to £12,500, plus up to £50,000 in profit-loss support, she added. A minimum of £7,500 financial support for traders that wish to open during construction. And no rent or service charge during Market construction Traders on sabbatical may receive up to £3,000 a month in payments and get brand new units or funds to upgrade existing ones. Rents will be fixed for five years after construction ends — but the market will eventually be opened to private buyers. Critics say that leaves uncertainty about what happens next. Paul Bardini, 69, whose grandfather first worked in the market in 1919, sees the other side. 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