Oxford Street could soon look less like a row of garish American Candy stores and more eclectic, with a scheme to offer free shops to small and independent businesses.

The campaign is aimed at businesses looking to launch their first store or physical space, and the chosen firms will be given a prime store location for an initial six-month period. These opportunities will be 100% rent-free for brands, with a minimum reduction of business rates of 70%. Stores will either be available for single occupancy or as a themed concept store shared between multiple brands.

  • wildeaboutoskar@beehaw.orgEnglish
    17·
    11 months ago

    Great news, this is exactly what Oxford Street needs if it wants to keep it a decent shopping destination. Last time I went I saw way too many closed shops and dodgy American sweetshops

    • LemonDifficult@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
      6·
      11 months ago

      Oxford street is fucked man. Sadiq Kahn had a plan to pedestrianise it iirc but whatever relevant (posh) local council drummed up enough support to prevent it. Shame as it probably would have rejuvenated the area. Remains the most polluted street in Europe I assume. What a mess. Electric busses when? Tram when? Literally any update to existing decaying infrastructure fucking hell. One star would not visit unless absolute emergency and had to buy towel from Debenhams.

      • mannycalaveraEnglish
        5·
        11 months ago

        and had to buy towel from Debenhams.

        Look at old money bags over here!