New West End Company news and archive

West End sales to hit 1.55 billion pounds during ‘challenging’ festive season

In the build up to the first restriction-free Christmas in three years, British retailers could still be facing a number of headwinds brought on by the rising cost of living and the continued absence of international travellers. In London’s West End, forecasted sales are expected to hit 1.55 billion pounds, 28 percent less than the pre-pandemic...

3 Nov 2022

Retail

The impact of Crossrail on retail in the West End

The delays of opening Bond Street on the new Elizabeth Line have finally come to an end, with the Crossrail officially open for business today. Joanna Lea, Director of Retail at Grosvenor Property UK, comments: “Today’s opening of Crossrail at Bond Street is welcome news for the West End and will provide a significant boost for the retail and...

24 Oct 2022

BusinessFeatured

New Elizabeth Line expects to boost West End sales by seven billion pounds

Following the expansion of the Elizabeth underground and overground line, which opened May 24, retailers in London’s West End are expecting to see a marginally large return in their annual sales. According to New West End Company, which oversees 600 businesses within some of the city’s central shopping districts, the impact of the new line could...

13 Oct 2022

Business

West End expects 80 million pound boost during Jubilee Weekend

The Jubilee Weekend is expected to inject tens of millions of pounds into London’s iconic West End district, according to new research. The four-day Bank Holiday weekend, running from June 2-5, is expected to generate 80 million pounds in sales as an estimated 2.8 million domestic and international visitors head to the shopping district during...

27 May 2022

Retail

West End Boxing Day footfall 44 percent below pre-Covid levels

Boxing Day footfall in London’s West End on Sunday was 44 percent lower than the same day in 2019, prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Compared with the previous week, footfall was down 16 percent as concerns continue to mount over the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Jace Tyrrell, the chief executive of New West End Company, which represents...

27 Dec 2021

Retail

UK retailers disappointed over Government Covid relief package

The Government’s proposal to give struggling leisure and hospitality sectors a one-off grant of 6,000 pounds has left the retail industry cold. The 1 billion pound financial support scheme fails to support the retail industry as businesses continue to struggle in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts were critical of the announcement as...

21 Dec 2021

Retail

London's West-End prepares for influx of tourists and spending

London is set to welcome a surge in tourism and spending according to forecasts from the New West End Company (NWEC). NWEC represents over 600 businesses in the London’s West-End and expects spending to increase from 5.5 billion pounds to 7.5bn pounds in 2022. According to the Evening Standand spending will be on track to return to pre-pandemic...

19 Aug 2021

RetailFeatured

London’s West End launches pop-up programme to entice new talent

London’s West End is launching a pop-up competition to give small scale businesses, homegrown start-ups and emerging creative talent the opportunity to open their doors at the iconic shopping destination. Launched by Westminster City Council in partnership with New West End Company and The Crown Estate, the programme also aims to attract...

1 Jun 2021

Retail

New West End Company calls for urgent government support

As retail reopens in England and Wales, the New West End Company, which represents London’s West End shops and hospitality venues, is calling on the government to offer urgent target support to help businesses recover from what it calls the “devastating impact of successive lockdowns”. New West End Company, which represents 600 businesses across...

12 Apr 2021

Retail

Regent Street launches Traffic Free Saturdays

West End retailers are looking to boost weekend footfall in the run-up to Christmas with the launch of a series of Traffic Free Saturdays that will ban traffic from Regent Street in central London. On Saturday, December 5, 12, and 19, Regent Street will offer traffic-free shopping, banning all cars, buses and taxes between Oxford Circus and...

1 Dec 2020

RetailFeatured

New Government scheme to end tax free shopping for UK visitors

The UK Government this week announced tax free shopping in the UK as we know it will end on 31st December this year. All overseas visitors will no longer be able to obtain a VAT refund on items bought in the UK and take home in their luggage. Furthermore, UK airports will no longer be able to offer duty free items on fashion, accessories and...

15 Sept 2020

RetailFeatured

New campaign urges UK Government to extend tax-free shopping to EU visitors

A campaign launched by New West End Company urges the UK Government to extend the tax-free shopping system to EU visitors when the UK officially leaves the European Union on December 31st. The decline in international visitor numbers to UK cities continues with devastating impacts on the fashion and retail industries. In a letter to the HM...

21 Aug 2020