Westminster Council to inject millions into reviving West End

The council has dedicated £190m for a support fund to help the district’s recovery post-pandemic.

Of this, £150m will be invested in re-designing Oxford Street and Strand Aldwych, to make the area more pedestrian friendly - a project that had initially been set to begin in late 2021.

Part of the funding will be used for a series of free public art installations and performances to drive tourists to the area, as well as a deep cleaning programme to revamp its streets.

£1m has also been set aside for a recruitment drive to bring waiters, baristas and bar staff to help its struggling hospitality businesses.

The council has made a fresh call to the government to introduce a sales tax on online players to level the playing field with bricks and mortar retailers, and is also calling for the reintroduction of VAT-free shopping - which was a big driver of international shoppers to the area previously.

Providing support for hospitality

Leader of Westminster Council Rachael Robathan said: “At the heart of the capital, Westminster has a special role in the nation’s economy – we generate more than £60bn a year and support one in eight jobs in the capital.

“Westminster and the West End were hard hit by lockdown. As the local authority area with more restaurants, bars and cafes than any other in the country, we feel we have a special obligation to support the hospitality industry, which is why we have today announced our new £1m recruitment scheme. 

”The venue owners work night and day to support jobs; the Council can play its part by providing trained staff for those jobs.”