September marked the beginning of a new era for New West End Company, as we gathered members, external partners and political stakeholders to celebrate the launch of our proposed Business Plan for 2026-2031.

New West End Company was set up to achieve what no single business or sector could accomplish alone, delivering the essential services that underpin the success of our district. Across the last four years, we have worked closely with our members to drive forward the West End’s recovery; acted as the district’s collective voice; invested in the largest private street patrol team in London, and championed the regeneration of Oxford Street, in close collaboration with the Greater London Authority and Westminster City Council. This has only been possible with your support.

Looking ahead, our ambition is to do even more. Our five-year Business Plan sets out a clear pathway to drive growth, attract talent and visitors, and secure the district’s future as one of the world’s most dynamic destinations.

To mark this significant milestone, we are also introducing a refreshed brand identity for our next BID term – modern, sophisticated, and fitting for a flagship destination of the future. It has inspired the design of our BID Renewal website – which houses all relevant information about our plans for the future – and will be rolled out across all channels from 1 April 2026, should we secure another five-year mandate.

You can read the full business plan and the see a sneak peek of the new branding here.

The renewal also provides us with an exciting opportunity to welcome offices to our membership, enabling us to fully reflect the mixed-use diversity of the district’s economy and ensure that the West End workforce feels truly part of the West End community.

Together, we can unlock over £60 million of dedicated investment into the West End, securing the services that we all rely on – security patrols, cleansing, festive lights, marketing campaigns, insights and strong advocacy. You can see this breadth for yourself in our recently launched BID renewal video, filmed across the West End this summer, and featuring interviews from members and local stakeholders.

One thing is clear: The Future Is West End.

Warmest regards,

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive

SECURITY & OPERATIONS

On 24 September, Dee Corsi joined Commander Andy Featherstone at New Scotland Yard to sign a landmark data-sharing agreement. As a long-time partner of the Metropolitan Police Service, we have built a relationship underpinned by trust, with intelligence sharing at its core. This new agreement will enable us to take our existing partnership to the next level, and we look forward to taking this step together.

We are proud to have launched our new Prolific Offender Management Portal, ALERT, which will further strengthen our Security team’s proactive approach to tackling prolific offenders across the district.

Once logged onto the platform, members are able to input crime reference numbers or CADs following incidents, share intelligence in a GDPR-compliant format and receive real-time notifications when offenders are active in the district. The information gathered will be crucial in our Security team’s efforts, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service, to identify, target and deter prolific offenders in the West End.

In September, we also introduced a brand new radio network across the district – a significant investment to ensure our members are connected with our Security team 24/7. The new system, with improved signal and connectivity via 5G and Wi-Fi, has replaced our previous offering and has been offered free-of-charge to members.

If you would like to sign up to ALERT, receive a new radio, or arrange a meeting with our Security team, please contact our Security and Operations Coordinator, Akin Shodeinde at [email protected].

In August, Akin Shodeinde delivered a presentation to store staff at one of our retail members, outlining the security services provided by New West End Company to promote the safety and security of all those who come to the West End. He was joined by Nitu Kashap, Manager of our 24/7 on-street Security team, who provided an overview of the team’s high-level of training and frontline experience, making them uniquely equipped to respond to incidents in the West End.

New West End Company recently had the pleasure of hosting an exceptional Board meeting with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service, including the Assistant Commissioner for Frontline Policing, Matt Twist, and Superintendent Natasha Evans. The Assistant Commissioner presented the New Met for London: Phase Two plans, and what this would mean for policing in London, before we discussed district plans in more detail – in particular, the additional resources being directed into the West End, despite overall policing numbers being reduced.

Our 24/7 on-street Security team played an instrumental role in the detention and arrest of nine individuals, following a smash and grab incident at a retail store on Oxford Street. This achievement shows our commitment, working alongside the Metropolitan Police Service, to keep the district safe and welcoming for all.

On 30 September, Lucy Mitchell joined the Metropolitan Police Service and MOPAC for the second meeting of the newly established West End Taskforce – a multi-agency steering group that will work 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. The group will meet on a quarterly basis to report progress and key outcomes.

CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY

Earlier this summer, we were pleased to launch our renewed campaign to reinstate tax-free shopping, in partnership with Heathrow Airport, Cadogan Estates, and the Knightsbridge Partnership.

In August, we released new analysis on the impact of the absence of the policy in the West End – featured first in The Times – which showed that local businesses lost, in the first half of 2025 £310 million in unrealised sales. This is a 40% increase on the same period in 2024, and the largest loss across the half year since the benefit was removed.

At High Streets UK’s quarterly forum in September, which focused on the role of tourism in driving economic growth, strong support emerged for the introduction of a new, fully digital and modern VAT scheme. Notably, this proposal is now endorsed by business leaders representing flagship destinations across the UK, underscoring the growing regional consensus behind this important policy initiative.

The Tourism Forum also provided an opportunity for the group to discuss and agree on its national position on overnight visitor levies. Our asks are clear: any levies to be managed locally, proportionate and affordable, co-designed with business, visibility reinvested in the visitor economy, and aligned with a wider visitor economy strategy – strengthening, rather than undermining local tourism. You can read them in full here.

High Streets UK was delighted to host an evening reception at the Labour Party Conference, which brought together policymakers, business leaders and industry voices to focus on challenges faced by flagship high streets – from business rates to safer streets, investment in people and places, and a stronger tourism offer. Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Crime and Policing, gave a keynote speech about the Government’s action on crime to date, and the importance of partnership working to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in flagship destinations.

Dee Corsi met with Lord Spencer Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Growth Minister, at the Labour Party Conference, to discuss key member concerns. Dee reinforced our central policy asks, including business rates reform and the introduction of a new VAT-free scheme.

We were pleased to hear from the Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood MP, in response to our letter regarding the management of dockless bikes in the West End. He highlighted the commercial negative impact dockless cycle rental schemes may cause to high street businesses and referred to measures included in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to address this issue. The measures will empower Transport for London to regulate schemes through pan-London licensing.

We continue to engage with the Greater London Authority and Westminster City Council, as well as the wider West End community, regarding the plans for Oxford Street, including the process for setting up the Mayoral Development Corporation. Transport for London (TfL) became the highway authority for Oxford Street on 20 September. We are working with TfL to make sure that the needs of local businesses are met with in the proposed transport plans. Details about the pedestrianisation scheme will be launched for consultation later in the Autumn.

INNOVATION & INSIGHTS

In August, we commissioned an online survey to understand which services and offers are of most interest to our local workers. We were delighted to receive over 700 responses, which will be used to evolve our current West End Club and develop a new digital platform to enhance the well-being and experience for those who work in the district. Watch this space!

In September, we published the results of our bi-annual Visitor Insights survey, designed to enhance our members’ understanding of visitor motivations, preferred activities, and average dwell time. Informed by 754 on-street interviews conducted in June, the data highlighted culture & leisure as strong secondary reasons for visitation, as well as increased perception of personal safety – driven mostly by international visitors. The average number of stores visited increased from 2 in 2024 to 3.2 in 2025. 77% of respondents said they were making planned visits to the West End, rather than passing through – a 19% increase from June 2024.

New West End Company was pleased to present the West End Insights update for August 2025, exploring the latest trends in retail and leisure sales, visitor profiles and tourist travel. During that month, the West End saw a mixed performance, with footfall up +5.8%, but overall sales dipping by -2.7% year-on-year. The decline in sales was driven by a slight drop in transaction volume (-0.8%) and a decrease in average transaction value (-2.0%).

You can access our bi-annual Visitor Insights survey, monthly sales reports, and interactive insights dashboards, at our dedicated Insights portal here.

DESTINATION MARKETING

We are pleased to have welcomed an additional 560 members to our West End Club since 1 August, with a total of 913 redemptions made in the two months to October. Users can now enjoy additional offers and events. Download the app here to see the latest offers, or contact Sharon at [email protected] to be involved.

In September, our Destination Marketing team marked the launch of OxFood Street with an evening celebrating the best of Oxford Street. The team hosted 12 journalists and influencers on a culinary tour of IKEA, followed by Punch Room at the London Edition, Aqua Kyoto, LAVO at the BoTree and finishing at the 1864 Rooftop at John Lewis. Guests included writers from The Telegraph, Metro, Stylist Magazine and The Independent.

To celebrate the start of London Fashion Week and the new autumn season, New West End Company partnered with Quintessentially to deliver an exclusive event for a group of ultra-high network individuals on Bond Street. The activities started at MaxMara, where 20 guests were treated to cocktails and one-on-one styling sessions. Attendees were then taken to Burberry to enjoy, over champagne, a talk on the history of Burberry’s iconic trench coat. The event was fantastic opportunity to celebrated the district’s deep fashion heritage, and showcase Bond Street’s offering with bespoke treats and experiences for guests. If you would like to get involved in our future Destination Marketing press tours, please contact our Head of Destination Marketing, Danny Sullivan, at [email protected].

On 21 September, THIS IS Oxford Street, a landmark event organised by the Mayor of London, saw a section of Oxford Street between Oxford Circus and Orchard Street traffic-free for a programme of activities and performances. The occasion offered visitors a new and exciting way to experience the nation’s high street, with the combination of special on-street and in-store experiences. New West End Company worked closely with members, the Mayor of London, Westminster City Council and the wider West End Community, to activate the district in a fresh and dynamic way.

EVENTS

IN THE DISTRICT

At the start of August, Pandora opened doors to its upgraded store on Oxford Circus. This is the Danish jewellery brand’s third location on Oxford Street alone, as well as one of its top-performing stores in the country – highlighting the significant appeal of Oxford Street as a flagship destination for retailers.

Last month, M&S unveiled its brand-new, transformed Pantheon foodhall on Oxford Street. Located on the lower ground floor of the store, the new 19.4k sq ft foodhall has a range of exciting new features for customers to try, from a Hot Chicken Counter to a shiny Pizza Bar, serving up the best specialty sourdough choices.

Topshop has made an iconic return to bricks-and-mortar retail, launching an exclusive in-store residency at Liberty London. Taking over Liberty’s atrium and Level Two shopping space, the activation reimagines the historic department store with an industrial aesthetic.

On Regent Street, Austrian health brand BIOGENA – known for its premium micronutrients designed to support long-term wellbeing – has opened its first UK flagship – another addition to the street’s increasing well-being mix of amenities.

And, after months of anticipation, Michael Kors’ flagship is finally open to visitors. To mark the launch, the store will be hosting its very own Make Your Own Charm Bar every weekend from opening until 12 October. Running on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the brand will also be collaborating with local artists to lead live creative sessions so that customers can customise new season handbag charms.

Odd Muse, the womenswear label known for its quiet-luxury aesthetic, is set to open, on 4 October, its second London store – a five-storey townhouse on Bond Street. “The Odd Muse Townhouse” is described by the brand as its “most elevated retail experience to date”, marking a milestone moment just five years after its launch. We look forward to welcoming the brand to our district!