New plans announced to boost West End’s recovery
Westminster City Council has unveiled a range of plans to revive London’s Oxford Street district as it look to attract both domestic and international visitors during the post pandemic recovery period.
The new Oxford Street District framework will aim to restore the area as a`must visit’ destination of choice as well as a place to start, grow and expand businesses. It will also aim to deliver a world-class public realm with a strong focus on play.
The plans include proposals for a 25 metre high ‘Marble Arch Hill’ temporary visitor attraction that could be enjoyed by up to 200,000 people whilst operational. Westminster Council said the attraction could support millions of pounds in incremental spending for the local economy across the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in London’s West End.
Westminster has already committed £150 million worth of funding to kickstart the programmes and attract inward investment. The Council said 2021 will be a `year of delivery’ for Oxford Street with a large number of projects getting under way within weeks. These will include a range of interim improvements on Oxford Street to create additional pedestrian space, pop up parks, new lighting, landscaping, greening projects and cultural space.
Work will also be undertaken to encourage a wider range of businesses to the area including shops, pop-ups, offices, restaurants and cultural and leisure venues.
Westminster City Council Leader Rachael Robathan said: “The West End is the engine of the London economy and a huge employer which has been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19. We are confident that our bold plans will secure the District’s long-term success, running alongside our creative, interim plans to boost the capital’s post pandemic recovery. We want to focus attention on this iconic centre of our city which has been increasingly overlooked and cement its status for the future as a key central London destination.”
