Regent Street to have traffic-free Saturdays in lead up to Christmas

Regent Street will be pedestrianised from 10am – 9pm on Saturday 5, 12 and 19 December to encourage shoppers back to the West End in the run-up to Christmas.

West End retailers and restaurateurs – including in Carnaby, Soho and Covent Garden - are coming together as part of #MyWestEnd to encourage festive shopping and dining in central London, and have gone all-out to make their stores and restaurants Covid-safe for the reopening of non-essential retail from tomorrow, 2 December.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, commented: “Visiting the West End at Christmas is a magical experience offering something for everyone, so I’m delighted that Londoners will be able to soak up the atmosphere in safety and comfort during these traffic-free days. Businesses across London have worked incredibly hard to make their premises Covid-safe, and I am really pleased that they are able to open their doors again.

“Supporting retailers and restauranteurs over the Christmas period will help them now, and in the future, as they play a key role in London’s economic recovery.”

Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive at New West End Company, which promotes Regent Street, Oxford Street and Bond Street, said: “We have 50% fewer people than last year that can get to the West End as tourists are not visiting this season, and we hope that Londoners will take advantage of the spacious and secure environment to enjoy the unique festive offerings of the West End.

“Businesses have invested millions in ensuring that it is safe and secure for colleagues and customers, and we want to reassure our customers that Christmas can still be enjoyed, and to come and support our hard-hit businesses and get some much-needed festive cheer.”

James Cooksey, Director of Central London at The Crown Estate, commented: “Regent Street is incredibly special at this time of year, so we’re delighted to be able to welcome our shoppers and visitors back to the West End, to take in our Christmas lights and enjoy everything our restaurants and retailers have to offer.

“These car free days are a really welcome opportunity to enjoy a more spacious, sustainable Regent Street, and we’re continuing to build on these benefits, with works underway to widen pavements and introduce more cycling facilities and greenery.”

Brian Bickell, Chief Executive of Shaftesbury, added: “Traffic-free Saturdays are an excellent way to encourage people to return to the West End in the build-up to Christmas. In a normal year, the heart of London would be full of people enjoying the different festive experiences that the West End has to offer and supporting the retail and hospitality businesses that form such a key part of the London economy.

“The festive spirit is alive and well in the West End this Christmas with amazing lights, decorations and vibrant places to visit and we have worked hard to ensure visitors can do so in as safe an environment as possible.”