Overwhelmingly positive impact of first week of Oxford Street pedestrianisation hailed by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

• Footfall in the traffic-free section rose a 16 per cent compared with October 2025 half-term, with international visitor numbers up a staggering 42 per cent year-on-year
• Visits after 6pm rose 19 per cent compared with the equivalent week last year
• Early spending figures show dramatic increase with spending up a huge 28 per cent and in-store transactions up 19 per cent year-on-year
• TfL recorded more entries and exits at nearby Tube stations, while buses continued to run well and traffic speeds on surrounding roads remained broadly stable
• Traffic speeds on surrounding roads largely similar to before pedestrianisation

Initial results showing the overwhelmingly positive impact from the first week of a traffic-free Oxford Street, have been hailed today by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

New data shows that more people visited the area during the first week of pedestrianisation and spent more in shops than in the equivalent period last year.

Although the Mayor and Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) were expecting an uptick in visitors and spend during the first week, the data far surpasses their most optimistic expectations.

City Hall figures show footfall in the newly pedestrianised stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street rose by 16 per cent compared with October 2025 half-term. International visitor numbers were up 42 per cent year-on-year, and visits to the wider Oxford Street area after 6pm rose by 19 per cent.

This is the first stage of a phased delivery programme of pedestrianisation with minimal construction happening in the immediate weeks to reduce disruption in the busy Christmas period. The increases in visitors and spend before any significant transformation has actually occurred is another sign of the huge economic impact that the scheme is likely to have.

Early figures from payments company Adyen show spending at Oxford Street stores covered by its year-on-year comparison rose by 28 per cent, from around £2.9 million to £3.7 million. The number of in-store transactions rose by 19 per cent over the same period. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “These are staggering early results that show the transformational impact that the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street will have. Our early work has been very warmly received by Londoners and visitors, with a surge in footfall and spend.

“More people are coming to Oxford Street, more are visiting in the evening and shops are seeing more sales. These initial results are better than we had anticipated and a real boost for the nation’s high street and the businesses that make it such a special place to visit.

“With Christmas around the corner, I’d encourage Londoners and visitors to come and see what a traffic-free Oxford Street has to offer, whether you’re here to shop, meet friends or make an evening of it. The new Oxford Street is going to be one of the world’s most exciting public spaces, so come and be a part of this truly momentous project.”

Since Monday, October 26, the section of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street has been closed to private motorised vehicles, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs – transforming it into a place for people, not traffic, and creating a safe and spacious shopping hub in time for the busiest retail period of the year.

The transformation of Oxford Street has been in the making for decades, with previous attempts to pedestrianise the street failing to materialise. With the Mayor and Government now working together to deliver these bold plans, it finally unlocks a truly new era for the street. 

The project will create a world-class destination for visitors and Londoners alike - where flagship retail sits alongside next-generation workplaces, leisure, culture and hospitality - giving people more reasons to visit, stay longer and return more often. The new pedestrianisation and wider regeneration project aims to put Oxford Street back among top global shopping destinations including Times Square, the Champs-Élysées and La Rambla.

TfL recorded more entries and exits at Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations in the first traffic-free week. At street level, TfL sensors recorded footfall outside Bond Street station up to 46 per cent above the average weekday count at that location between 7 September and 16 October 2026. Early analysis found no significant overall change in traffic speeds on surrounding roads, and bus operators reported that services continued to run well.

Claire Mann, Chief Operating Officer at TfL, said: “It may only be a few weeks since Oxford Street became traffic-free but already the feedback from people along the street has been phenomenal. I’m delighted to hear that the number of people visiting Oxford St is already up, and that businesses are prospering as a result. A huge amount of work has gone into delivering this change, and as we continue to deliver further improvements to this new pedestrian space in the coming months, we will be closely monitoring these changes to make sure they are working for everyone and supporting the continued economic growth London needs.”

Nabeel Khan, CEO of OSDC, said: “We are greatly encouraged by the early footfall and dwell time figures, which is showing the additional space to roam is proving attractive to visitors to the street.”

“Comparing data to the same week last year, which also coincided with half term, included a 16% year-on-year footfall rise in the newly pedestrianised area. As we build towards the golden quarter for trading on the street, we look forward to seeing how pedestrianisation continues to bring a positive impact to the area.”

Dee Corsi, CEO of the New West End Company, said: “These early figures are an encouraging indication of the positive impact Oxford Street’s transformation could have for businesses. This increase in footfall demonstrates the scale of the opportunity ahead. More visitors to the street will not only help strengthen Oxford Street’s position as the nation’s high street but also drive growth across the West End and London as a whole.

“We are about to enter the most important trading period of the year for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and Christmas will be a crucial early test for pedestrianisation in practice. At New West End Company, our focus remains on making sure Oxford Street is safe, clean, accessible and welcoming for visitors, while ensuring the practicalities work for West End businesses during the festive period.”

Dan Hills, CEO of Market Halls on Oxford Street, said: “As one of the largest hospitality businesses on Oxford Street, it's been incredibly encouraging to see the positive impact pedestrianisation is already having on the area. Since the changes were introduced, footfall at Market Halls Oxford Street has increased by 29 per cent year-on-year, while sales are up 25 per cent, demonstrating the appetite for more people-focused destinations.

“Oxford Street has evolved far beyond a traditional shopping street, with hospitality, leisure and culture playing a vital role in its enduring appeal. The increase in visitors coming through our doors, including a rise in the proportion of foot traffic from nearby Holles Street, shows that creating a more people-centric environment encourages people to explore more of what it has to offer and support local businesses. These early results are a positive sign of what Oxford Street can achieve as it continues to evolve into a world-class destination for Londoners and visitors.”

Paul Crossey, Managing Director of the Jane Austen Experience on Oxford Street, said: “The pedestrianisation has meant more people are drawn to the attractions, shops and other businesses in and around Oxford Street. This increase has been measurable for us, as we saw 27 per cent more visitors to the Jane Austen Experience in the first week of the traffic-free scheme.”