The Mayor of London Boris Johnson and West End retailers declared Oxford Street ‘open for business’, as the capital gears up to welcome the world with an unprecedented series of global events.

In a challenging period for retailers, figures released showed March retail spend in the West End dropped by 4.1% year-on-year. The Mayor, Westminster City Council and retailers joined forces to launch two new initiatives aimed at boosting trade in London's most famous shopping area.

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson and Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Chairman of New West End Company announced plans to introduce two additional traffic free days in December. These include the biggest shopping day of the year Boxing Day [26 December] and a traffic free weekend for the annual VIP Day [10 & 11 December] – which kicks starts Christmas spend.  The new traffic-free days are expected to set the tills in the West End ringing and result in an extra spend of £50 million.

In addition, New West End Company is working in partnership with the Mayor, Transport for London, Westminster City Council and West End retail leaders to submit their top tips for a new campaign ‘West End Travel Advice’, which launched on www.westendlondon.com/travel.

This aims to encourage shoppers and visitors to explore alternative pathways and pit stops and even discover new territories in London’s West End, whilst major Crossrail and Tube upgrade works are carried out over the next seven months on Oxford Street.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said, “At a time when the focus on the capital is more intense than ever, the success of the West End will play a vital role in securing London’s reputation. I am delighted we have been able to secure two new dates for the hugely popular traffic-free events, which will give retailers a major boost and set the tills ringing throughout the West End.”

Cllr Brian Connell, Westminster Council Cabinet Member for Business, added, “The last couple of years for businesses haven’t been easy but the West End has proved incredibly resilient. Previous VIP days have proved to be a welcome boost to the West End’s shops, restaurants, theatres and cinemas and we hope to see that success continue.”