In early January, I shared an opinion piece with The Standard reflecting on the success of our recent ballot and its significance for the district’s future. Securing a renewed five-year mandate provides clarity and confidence as we progress with the delivery of an ambitious £60 million programme of direct investment. This funding will support the essential services that underpin a thriving West End, including 24/7 on-street security and cleansing services, data-led insights, world-class destination marketing and strong advocacy.

The start of the year also marked a pivotal moment for Oxford Street, with the formal establishment of its Mayoral Development Corporation. This milestone recognises the street’s critical economic, cultural and social contribution to London and the wider UK. I was pleased to be appointed to the board, representing the West End business community as we work collectively to define a clear and shared vision. I look forward to collaborating with the Mayor of London, Westminster City Council and other stakeholders, to drive long-term, transformational change for the nation’s most iconic high street.

New West End Company remains firmly focused on safety and security in the West End – from always-on patrols and coordinated operations with the Metropolitan Police Service to investment in CCTV infrastructure. I recently discussed this work with The National, a leading publication for visitors from the UAE, providing a timely opportunity to challenge negative perceptions of London overseas. Recent Metropolitan Police data tells a positive story: homicide is at record lows and violence continues to fall. I’m proud of the pivotal role New West End Company plays, working hand in hand with the police to deter crime and ensure the West End remains a place where visitors feel safe and welcome.

Progress on our renewed tax-free shopping campaign is also advancing. Working alongside Heathrow Airport, Cadogan and Knightsbridge Partnership, our goal is to develop a robust, evidence-based proposal that can deliver significant economic impact and secure support from HM Treasury and senior policymakers.

Looking ahead, we will unveil the 2025 West End Turnover Forecast on Wednesday 11 February, at our annual Insights Breakfast. The event will provide a detailed review of trading performance over the last year, alongside expert insight into the evolving consumer behaviours shaping the future of the district. I am delighted to welcome Helen Brocklebank, CEO of British luxury body Walpole, as a guest speaker. Helen will examine the latest trends in luxury and what they indicate about the wider retail market. Click here for full event details and the link to register.

Finally, we are working on a number of initiatives to welcome West End offices to our membership from April 2026. Plans include the creation of an Office Working Group as part of our governance structure, alongside a dynamic programme of events throughout the year. These will be added to a comprehensive “Welcome Pack”, which will be shared

Warmest regards,

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive

SECURITY & OPERATIONS

New West End Company worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service following a series of ram-raid incidents across Westminster and Knightsbridge. Our Security & Operations team shared critical intelligence, increased on-street visibility in the aftermath of incidents, and kept members informed throughout the investigation. We are pleased to confirm that two suspects have now been arrested and linked to all five incidents. A full statement from the Metropolitan Police Service is available here.

On Saturday 17 January our on-street security team provided essential support to the Metropolitan Police Service, during a high-profile “product drop” event in the district, which attracted approximately 200 young people. With police resources stretched across 20 other deployments that day, our presence enabled officers to safely manage the crowds and prevent escalation. Following the event, the Chief Inspector for the West End Policing Team, Amy Milton, wrote to thank us, noting that, without our security on the ground, the situation would have been considerably more challenging.

On Friday 16 January, two individuals stole high-value goods from a local retailer. Our security team was able to pursue these offenders, successfully recovering £8,600 worth of stock. One of the individuals was detained until police arrived. Incidents of this nature highlight the critical role our security team plays in reducing retail crime and protecting commercial value across the district.

In the last six weeks, three members of a long-running organised criminal gang operating in the West End have been arrested, following a targeted police operation. Intelligence gathered by New West End Company throughout 2025 and shared with the Metropolitan Police has played a crucial role in these arrests. This is a significant milestone and demonstrates how data collection and partnership working can result in tangible outcomes for businesses.

Also on 16 January, our Chief Operating Officer, Lucy Mitchell, joined the Metropolitan Police Service, Westminster City Council, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, and other business representatives, for the monthly meeting of the West End Taskforce. This is a multi-agency steering group that works together, beyond business as usual, to problem solve and remove barriers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour – supporting economic growth in London’s West End and surrounding areas.

CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY

On 27 January, the Government announced a targeted package of support for pubs on business rates, recognising the pressures facing the hospitality sector and the role it plays in supporting high streets and local communities. While hotels were not included in this package, the Government acknowledged flaws in hospitality valuation methodologies and confirmed that hotels will be part of a future valuation review, to take effect from April 2029.

New West End Company is urging the Government to accelerate the review of hotel valuation methodology to prevent otherwise viable businesses from failing before reform is implemented. We are also calling for interim support for hotels, similar to the approach taken for pubs, through a time-limited freeze, or relief, while the review is underway.

This month, our renewed campaign on tax-free shopping gained real momentum. On 23 January, our independent research partner presented an initial benchmarking analysis, examining both small- and large-scale solutions adopted by international tourist destinations. New West End Company is now consolidating feedback from key stakeholders as we move toward the next phase of work: developing a modernised scheme that delivers economic impact, while addressing historic concerns raised by the Treasury and HMRC around cost, administration and fraud.

Throughout January, we prepared for High Streets UK’s next quarterly forum, hosted by founding member Leeds BID. The session will focus on inward investment and ideas for growth. Attendees will also discuss the proposed overnight visitor levy, currently under consultation in England, with New West End Company drawing on these discussions to shape its response on behalf of members.

On 20 January, our Chief Executive, Dee Corsi, spoke to The National about the initiatives New West End Company is leading to enhance visitor safety and security in the West End. The interview was featured in a standalone piece examining crime levels in London and the steps being taken to rebuild its international reputation. With visitors from the United Arab Emirates a key audience for the district, it is vital they feel confident and safe when visiting. Media opportunities such as this play an important role in reinforcing trust and encouraging international travel to the West End.

On behalf of our members, we submitted a response to Transport for London’s consultation on the proposed transport and highway changes supporting the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.

Throughout the development of these proposals, we have maintained close engagement with the Mayor’s team, TfL, and Westminster City Council. In early January, Dee Corsi was appointed to the board of the Mayoral Development Corporation – a pivotal role in ensuring our members’ perspectives are taken into account. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with key stakeholders to make Oxford Street’s transformation successful, sustainable, and globally competitive.

INNOVATION & INSIGHTS

West End sales performance for December shows notable shifts in consumer visitation and spend patterns compared to previous years. While the district was busy, with footfall up by +2.5%, overall sales declined by -5.7%, led by a drop in Average Transaction Value (ATV) of -5%. This sales performance is similar to other central London benchmarks, which declined on average -4.9%.

Domestic footfall increased by +8.7%, driving overall footfall growth. Sales, however, declined by -4.9%. International footfall declined by -7.1%, aligning with a -2.1% drop in international passenger arrivals in London during the same period. Overall international sales, as a result, declined by -2.1%.

We will delve into these shifts, as well as the district’s 2025 turnover report, at our annual West End Insights Breakfast, taking place on Wednesday 11 February. Attendees will gain actionable insights on spending, footfall, and customer behaviour across residents, tourists, and the local workforce, with a special focus on luxury retail trends and what they reveal for the wider market. Helen Brocklebank, CEO of luxury body Walpole, will deliver a keynote speech on the biggest luxury trends in 2026 and how these impact the wider retail environment. Please see here for full event details and the link to register.

January saw significant progress on our global benchmarking report, developed in partnership with Colliers to assess London’s standing against other leading international destinations. The analysis will cover policy and the commercial environment, tourism and hospitality, cultural appeal, and technology and innovation. Insights from the report will help underpin our advocacy workstreams and provide members with a comprehensive set of data to inform business decisions.

DESTINATION MARKETING

Our Destination Marketing team is partnering with a private client concierge service to deliver an exclusive client event in celebration of London Fashion Week in Mayfair next month. The event is designed to showcase the best of Bond Street, providing a unique opportunity for members to engage with high-value visitors in a curated, intimate setting. If you’d like to get involved, please contact our Content & Campaigns Manager, Francesca Thesen, at [email protected].

The Oxford Street website is showcasing a range of experiences and offers available designed to refresh and energise. Customers can rejuvenate at the Rituals Mind Oasis, tick-off a New Year’s resolution with a session at Jamie Oliver’s Cookery School, or explore the latest in sportswear and beauty products.

To celebrate achieving 100,000 followers on the Oxford Street Instagram account, we are launching a special giveaway featuring six exceptional prizes. This initiative reflects our commitment to engaging with visitors and promoting Oxford Street as a vibrant, must-visit destination. Followers can look forward to further details on @OxfordStreetW1 in the coming weeks, and are encouraged to participate in this exciting celebration.

We were delighted to welcome 255 new members to the West End Club this January. In total, the app gathered 2k visits, with 547 redemptions made. New offers include the likes of Holland & Barrett, Rituals & Sketch. To have your offer added to the app, make sure to contact our Loyalty & Partnerships Project Manager, Sharon Salawu, at [email protected].

EVENTS

IN THE DISTRICT

Natty’s Jerk, known for serving exquisite Caribbean food with a modern twist, officially launched in the Selfridges Food Hall on January 19, bringing their renowned cuisine to the iconic Oxford Street store. This is the family-run business’ first location outside of their hometown in Portsmouth.