Oxford Street footfall up 16% in pedestrianisation's first week
Spending and international visitor numbers also saw significant rises following the traffic-free zone's introduction.
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Visitor numbers and spending on Oxford Street increased during the first week of its partial pedestrianisation, according to figures released by City Hall. The traffic-free zone, which runs between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, saw footfall rise by 16 per cent compared to the same week in 2025. This increase was measured against visitor numbers during the half-term holiday period.
The data, published by the Mayor of London and the Oxford Street Development Corporation, also indicated a substantial rise in international visitors, up by 42 per cent year-on-year. Domestic visitor numbers increased by 14 per cent over the same period. Overall visitor numbers in the wider Oxford Street area averaged 292,835 per day, a nine per cent increase on the previous year.
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Increased Spending Reported
Retail spending within the pedestrianised section of Oxford Street saw a notable increase. Payments company Adyen reported that spending at businesses included in its analysis rose from £2.9 million to £3.7 million, a 28 per cent increase. The number of in-store transactions grew by 19 per cent, with the average spend per transaction climbing from £100 to £107.
Evening activity also showed improvement, with visits after 6pm increasing by 19 per cent. Visitors spent an average of five per cent longer in the traffic-free zone compared to the equivalent week in 2025.
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Transport Usage
Transport for London (TfL) recorded a significant increase in Tube station usage. Between 28 and 30 October, almost 200,000 entries and exits were recorded daily at Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations. At Bond Street, entries and exits were more than 10 per cent higher than during the comparable period in 2025. TfL street-level sensors also indicated footfall outside Bond Street station was up to 46 per cent above recent weekday averages.
City Hall stated that early monitoring showed no significant overall change to traffic speeds on surrounding roads. Bus operators reported that services continued to operate effectively during the first week of the pedestrianisation.
Next Steps
The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street began on 26 October 2026 as part of a phased regeneration programme. City Hall plans to continue monitoring visitor numbers, transport performance, and economic activity as travel patterns adjust and the Christmas shopping period commences.
Questions this report answers
+How much did footfall increase on Oxford Street in the first week of pedestrianisation?
Footfall on Oxford Street rose by 16 per cent in the first week after its partial pedestrianisation began on 26 October 2026. This figure was compared to the equivalent half-term week in October 2025.
+What was the impact on spending at Oxford Street businesses?
Spending at businesses within the pedestrianised zone increased by 28 per cent, rising from £2.9 million to £3.7 million during the first week. The average spend per transaction also increased from £100 to £107.
+Did international visitor numbers change?
Yes, international visitor numbers increased by 42 per cent year-on-year during the first week of pedestrianisation. Domestic visitor numbers also rose by 14 per cent.
+What were the figures for Tube station usage?
Transport for London recorded almost 200,000 entries and exits per day at Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations between 28 and 30 October. This represented an increase of more than 10 per cent at Bond Street compared to the same period in 2025.
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