Square Mile of London pedestrianised for Christmas

In a bid to help boost Christmas trading, for the first time ever, a large section of the Square Mile of London will be made completely free of traffic for one day. Cheapside is to be completely pedestrianised on Saturday December 3rd 2011

between 10:00 GMT and 18:00 GMT, in order to make the local shopping attractions more accessible to consumers in the capital. Shopping areas in this section include Cheapside, Leadenhall Market, One New Change, Royal Exchange and department store, House of Fraser; so for the day a unique walk through from St Pauls Cathedral to Poultry will be in place.

Ruth Duston, Director of the Cheapside initiative, said: “Cheapside is delighted to be able to showcase its great retail offer with a one day, traffic free event in the heart of the square mile. The day will host an array of street entertainment, Festive walks and a range of activity - something for all of the family.

“This event will provide a truly unique shopping experience and the chance to indulge in the city’s rich cultural and heritage offer.”

Since opening in a year ago, the visually impressive One New Change shopping centre has been trying to reverse a decades’ old trend of the City of London being deserted of shoppers at the weekend.

This latest initiative will be seen as another step towards that goal, helping to secure some of the valuable seasonal trading spend for this historic area.