Oxford Street spending jumps 28% in first week after traffic ban

Shops on London’s Oxford Street saw a clear lift in trade in the first week after vehicles were banned. Data from payments company Adyen shows that spending across 40 stores on the street rose 28% year on year in the seven days from October 26, and was up 12% on the previous week. The number of transactions rose 19% compared with both the previous week and the same period in 2025.

Almost a kilometre closed to traffic

Since October 26, almost a kilometre of Oxford Street has been closed to cars, buses, taxis, bicycles and e-scooters as part of a wider £150 million transformation aimed at attracting more visitors and supporting the recovery of a street that has been slower than the wider West End to regain its pre-pandemic appeal. Nicole Olbe, Adyen’s President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the data showed “a promising start,” adding that Black Friday and Christmas would provide a further test of whether the increase could be sustained.

Mayor: up to £82 million a year

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has argued that removing traffic will encourage shoppers and tourists to spend more time on Oxford Street. Economists at the Greater London Authority estimate pedestrianisation could add up to £82 million to annual economic output and support more than 700 additional jobs. The scheme has the backing of major retailers including Selfridges and John Lewis, and deliveries are now restricted to between midnight and 7am.

Temporary for now, permanent plan by 2027

The traffic ban is initially a temporary arrangement while data and feedback are collected on how people use the space, with a permanent layout expected to be finalised by November 2027. More than 50 new trees, two public squares and over 100 new seats and dining tables are planned by the end of spring 2027. There have also been teething problems: some cyclists and e-bike riders continued to use the pedestrianised stretch, forcing police to tell riders to dismount, and hundreds of cyclists took to the street on a Friday evening in the first week to protest the restriction.

Photo: Oxford Street (file photo).