Oxford Street visitors up 16% in first week of traffic-free trial as shop spending jumps 28%

9th November 2026

Updated 9 Nov 2026, 10:34 · First published 9 Nov 2026

Visitor numbers on the traffic-free stretch of Oxford Street rose by 16% in its first week, according to figures from City Hall. Spending in shops was up 28% on the same week last year.

Cars, buses, taxis and bikes were banned from the western section of the street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, on 26 October.

Oxford Street – first week traffic-free

Visitors (pedestrianised stretch)Up 16% on the same half-term week in 2025

International visitorsUp 42%

Evening visits (after 6pm)Up 19%

Spending in shopsUp 28% – from about £2.9m to £3.7m

Average spend per transaction£107, up from £100

TubeAlmost 200,000 entries and exits a day at Oxford Circus and Bond Street

Which part of Oxford Street is traffic-free?

The car-free zone runs from Orchard Street, near Selfridges and Marble Arch, to Great Portland Street, east of Oxford Circus. Private cars, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, e-scooters and pedicabs are all banned from the stretch.

What did Sadiq Khan say?

The Mayor of London

“More people are coming to Oxford Street, more are visiting in the evening and shops are seeing more sales.”

Sir Sadiq Khan

The Mayor said the first results were “better than we had anticipated”. City Hall added that traffic speeds on surrounding roads had not changed significantly, and TfL said buses were still running well on their diverted routes.

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What happens next?

This first phase came in with only limited building work, so it would be ready for Christmas shopping. Bigger changes to the street will follow as part of the wider regeneration plan. City Hall says it will keep monitoring visitor numbers, transport and spending as the festive season gets going.