# Oxford Street pedestrianisation brings ‘staggering’ shopping boost

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/oxford-street-pedestrianisation-brings-staggering-shopping-boost/
- Published: 2026-11-09T00:01:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T00:24:00+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/oxford-street-pedestrianisation-brings-staggering-shopping-boost/
- Topics: Business

## Key points

- Footfall on pedestrianised Oxford Street rose by 16 per cent.
- International visitor numbers increased by about 42 per cent.
- Residents and cyclists have raised concerns about the changes.

## Summary

City Hall data suggests that pedestrianising part of Oxford Street has increased footfall and spending, offering an early boost to the shopping district ahead of Christmas. The results support Mayor Sadiq Khan’s argument that a traffic-free street could attract more visitors and encourage shops to open, although the decision to exclude buses and cyclists remains disputed.

In the first week, footfall between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street was 16 per cent higher than during the October 2025 half-term, while international visitor numbers rose by about 42 per cent. Visits after 6pm also increased, and Adyen data showed spending in stores along the traffic-free section rising from £2.9 million to £3.7 million year on year. Local residents say some bus journeys now take up to 11 minutes longer, and hundreds of cyclists have protested.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.