Thursday, December 14, 2023
During the festive season, London is witnessing a resurgence from the pandemic, evident in increased ridership at key Tube stations near Christmas attractions. On Black Friday, entries and exits at Oxford Circus station surged by 27%, surpassing the average for the previous four Fridays. The ‘Golden Quarter’ leading to Christmas is crucial for retail and hospitality sectors, and Transport for London (TfL) figures highlight how people are utilizing the transport network to explore retail opportunities and partake in festive events across the city.
The Northern line extension’s Tube station for Battersea Power Station experienced a remarkable 52,814 entries and exits on November 4, coinciding with the Battersea Park fireworks. This figure nearly doubled compared to the previous Saturday. Additionally, Kew Gardens station witnessed a 53% surge in entries and exits during the initial three days of the Christmas at Kew event, which commenced on November 15, compared to the same period the previous week. These statistics underscore the heightened activity during festive events and attractions in London.
Data from the Heart of London Business Alliance indicated that footfall on Saturday, November 25, after Black Friday, increased by 29% compared to the previous Saturday’s average in November. To enhance the festive experience for residents and visitors, TfL and Visit London collaborated on a special Tube map titled “A Christmas Too Big to Miss,” pinpointing the locations of notable festive attractions in London.
The map also provides information on accessibility and the proximity of attractions to various Tube stations.
Bus demand in London has risen by eight percent compared to 2022, according to a recent TfL report. The Hopper fare, providing unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour, remains a cost-effective option during the festive season. Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Superloop initiative, launched in July, has been praised as a “game-changer” for bus travel. The network, expanded with two additional routes, has enhanced suburban connectivity. TfL data shows a 62 percent increase in weekly passengers on the SL7 route (West Croydon to Heathrow) since it became part of the Superloop network, outperforming the six percent year-on-year passenger growth across London’s 700 routes.
Footfall in London’s West End has seen a significant increase, with Shaftesbury Capital reporting a 12 percent year-on-year rise. The Seven Dials and Covent Garden area, which initially experienced a decline in visitors due to the pandemic, now boasts footfall levels 16 percent higher than those in 2019. A new pop-up shop in Carnaby Street, part of the Mayor’s ‘London Made Me’ retail training program, provides opportunities for 12 creative entrepreneurs to launch their collective retail store during the festive period.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “London is also one of the world’s best retail destinations, and it’s great to see that promotions such as Black Friday and Small Business Saturday were huge successes.
Businesses need our help now more than ever, and I continue to call on the Government to reinstate tax free shopping for international visitors, which would give a much needed boost to businesses and high streets across the country.”
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: ”With London’s cultural and social calendar having truly sprung back this year, it’s set to be a Christmas you can’t miss. There’s a host of events in central London to mark the festive season and we’re also encouraging Londoners and visitors this year to look outside central London and check out events on their doorstep, as well as the wonderful range of free events. Wherever you choose to go, you can rely on TfL services to help you get there and make the most of your trip, and on our up-to-date, easy-to-access information to help you enjoy all the festive fun in London.”
Despite changes in work patterns, London’s nightlife remains a top strength compared to other cities. Friday and Saturday nights continue to be the most popular for central London, with around 60,000 journeys on the Night Tube and Night Overground on Fridays and close to 70,000 on Saturdays between 00:30 and 04:30. The Mayor’s Night Time Enterprise Zones, including Bromley, Vauxhall, and Woolwich, have contributed to increased footfall and visitor numbers during nighttime events, supporting the capital’s high streets.
Hannah Essex, Co-CEO of SOLT & UK Theatre, said: “After a difficult few years for establishments that rely on tourism, it is encouraging to see the city bustling with visitors this Christmas. London theatre is a key driver for tourism in the capital, and its audiences boost local economies. For every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, an additional spend of £1.40 is generated in surrounding businesses, adding up to £1.94bn per annum of extra value added to local economies by theatre audiences.”
Tags: christmas, european travel, london
Monday, January 1, 2024
