Oxford Street's first week: City Hall reports footfall up 16%, spending up 19%

City Hall has released figures for the first six days of the traffic-free section of Oxford Street, from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October 2026. Compared with the equivalent period of 2025, footfall was up 16 per cent and spending in shops up 19 per cent, as measured by partners in London's post-pandemic high street data collection service. Sadiq Khan called the early numbers "staggering" and said they beat the most optimistic expectations of his and the Oxford Street Development Corporation.

Writing in OnLondon, Dave Hill urges caution. He suggests the first week's draw may partly reflect novelty and heavy media coverage of the launch. He also points to the weather: the 2026 period was dry and warm, while the same days in 2025 were rainy. Both periods coincided with school half-term. International visitors accounted for a big part of the rise, and he says several months of year-on-year data are needed to judge any lasting difference.

The figures also show a nine per cent rise in the daily people count across the wider OSDC area, and a 19 per cent rise at night.

The article also covers the Mayor's new power, in force since last week, to call in licensing decisions normally made by local councils. Hill notes that a Time Out survey of 200 self-selecting Londoners found tiredness, lack of money and difficulty getting home ranked far above venues closing too early as reasons for staying in. He argues the West End's future should also consider its mix of attractions, street atmosphere and local residents' knowledge.