"It's crucial that pedestrianisation of Oxford Street includes hospitality sector consideration."
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Oxford Street's makeover with pedestrian zones needs a mix of eateries, shops, and entertainment to hit the mark, according to Britain's chief hospitality boss, Kate Nicholls. In a letter to Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, she expressed her support for the project but voiced concerns about hospitality businesses being treated as an afterthought in the revamp of the UK's most famous shopping hub.
"For the transformation to be successful, it's vital that hospitality plays a starring role in the revamped Oxford Street," Nicholls said in the letter, obtained by City AM. "Every crack, crevice, and cobble should offer some form of dining or entertainment experience."
With a price tag of £150m, the plans will banish cars, buses, and bicycles from the iconic street, restricting the pedestrianization to the western part from Oxford Circus to Selfridges. After a two-month public consultation, the proposals have sparked a flurry of opinions, with critics questioning the lack of detail and transparency from the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Yet, supporters of the project see it as a revitalizing force for Oxford Street. After Ikea's recent announcement of their flagship British store at the site once occupied by Topshop, the store's UK head, Peter Jekelby, voiced optimism for the redesigned street. "This change will make it a more desirable destination for shoppers and ease congestion," he said during the store's grand opening.
Backing Jekelby's sentiments, Nicholls argued the overhaul has the potential to "transform Oxford Street into an eye-catching playground for both locals and tourists." Offering to participate in future discussions with businesses, she expressed her hope that the proposals can serve as a best practice for how licensing and planning can collaborate to create successful and bustling high streets.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London responded, "By partnering with local businesses, residents, and councils, our proposals aim to pedestrianize Oxford Street and establish it as a global leader in shopping, hospitality, and outdoor events. In revitalizing Oxford Street, we're unlocking the area's potential."
Revamping Oxford Street has been a long-awaited endeavor given its decline over the years. However, recent developments, like the arrival of Ikea at the former Topshop site and other flagship stores, signal a positive trend for the area. If executed properly, the inclusion of hospitality and leisure businesses could breathe new life into the aging street and restore its former glory.
- The hospitality sector, as per Kate Nicholls, Britain's chief hospitality boss, believes that a vibrant mix of eateries, shops, and entertainment is crucial for Oxford Street's makeover to be successful.
- Nicholls also emphasized the importance of hospitality businesses not being treated as an afterthought in the revamp of Oxford Street, advocating for a comprehensive integration of dining and entertainment experiences.
- The £150m project proposes to prohibit cars, buses, and bicycles from Oxford Street, with pedestrianization only being implemented in the western part from Oxford Circus to Selfridges.
- The revitalization of Oxford Street, according to the Mayor of London's spokesperson, aims to position it as a global leader in shopping, hospitality, and outdoor events, and to unlock the area's potential through partnerships with local businesses, residents, and councils.
- The overhaul of Oxford Street, supported by the arrival of Ikea and other flagship stores, could potentially transform the street into a fashionable and vibrant space, appealing to both locals and tourists.
- The inclusion of finance, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, business, politics, and general-news sectors in the revamped Oxford Street could breathe new life into the aging street, restoring its former glory.
