West End footfall reaches 79% of pre-pandemic levels as Plan B restrictions ease

The first full week since the easing of Plan B restrictions has seen the highest footfall in the West End since November 2021, reaching 79% of pre-pandemic levels.

Daily footfall between 27 January and 2 February 2022 was on average up 10% week-on-week, with morning commuter footfall increasing on average by 9% week-on-week. Over the weekend footfall reached on average 79% of pre-pandemic levels, up by 11% from the previous weekend.

Artjom Hatsaturjants, Head of Business Intelligence at New West End Company, which represents over 600 businesses across Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and in Mayfair, commented: “Footfall figures for the first full week since the easing of Plan B restrictions show that London’s West End has experienced a promising boost, with footfall this weekend back to 79% of pre-pandemic levels, the highest level we have seen since November 2021.

"We have also seen morning commuter footfall growing at a pace. The return of office employees and UK visitors will no doubt be a relief to retailers and hospitality businesses in the district.

"We must now see concerted efforts to attract high spending overseas tourists back to the Capital to help accelerate the recovery of London's businesses from the challenges of the last two years.”

Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive Officer at New West End Company, previously said he is confident that the West End can achieve £7.5 billion of turnover this year as it continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic.