Morning:
9°c
West End’s bank holiday carnival
Jonathan Prynn and Sri Carmichael21 May 2009
Oxford Street will be closed to cars for a “shopping carnival” on Saturday, the first time it has been traffic-free outside the run-up to Christmas.
The event, which is expected to attract half a million shoppers, is aimed at winning back the British visitors who have abandoned the West End because of the recession.
West End retailers say that while healthy numbers of foreign tourists have kept the tills ringing, day-trippers from around Britain have been slower to come back. They hope to tap into this year's trend for holidaymakers to take cut-price “staycations” in Britain rather than flying to expensive foreign destinations.
Britain's premier shopping street will become a pedestrian oasis from Marble Arch at noon on Saturday until 5pm. It is only the sixth time Oxford Street has been shut to traffic.
The event is being tied in with this year's many West End anniversaries, including the centenary of Selfridges, the 250th year of Hamleys, the 125th for Jaeger and the 50th year of the Oxford Street Christmas lights.
Retailers hope to generate a carnival atmosphere with dozens of events for families, including a re-creation of this week's big Hollywood film, Night at the Museum Two. About 100 artists will be dressed as characters from the movie, including Attila the Hun, Ivan the Terrible and Napoleon. There will also be a 13 metre-high tyrannosaurus rex skeleton roaring at shoppers.
Other stunts include an attempt to break the pass-the-parcel record with a five-foot present designed by conceptual artist Daniel Higgs that can only be “passed” on a trolley and contains prizes worth thousands of pounds including a diamond necklace.
The Marble Arch flagship branch of Marks & Spencer is extending the chain's “penny bazaar” sale for an extra day to mark the company's 125th anniversary.
The New West End Company, which represents traders in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, has spent £300,000 organising the day, including a publicity blitz as far north as Newcastle. Chief executive Richard Dickinson said he hoped to attract 500,000 shoppers.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: “With London now cheaper than New York there has never been a better time to visit the West End and get great value on each and every pound.”
Motorcyclists campaigning against West End parking fees intend to sabotage the carnival. Bikers want Westminster to abolish a £1.50-a-day charge instead of cutting it to £1 and plan to fill Oxford Street car park.
Reader views (6)
What do virgins taste like? What sauce would you recommend?
There are a lot of very angry people around Alan. Because of the corrupt political system, the destruction of democracy by a socialist, minority pandering government. The indigenous populace of this country have had enough of being walked over.
Posting your feelings through forums like this is one of the few ways you can vent your frustrations. And maybe, just maybe our 'betters' in the political class might read your comment and not dismiss it out of hand.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 22/05/2009 10:55
Report abuse
FYI. Bikers do not intend to sabotage this "carnival". They will gather in good spirit, as always, in Oxford Street car park and then join the rest of the crowds in Oxford St for some shopping! See y'all there!
- Adi, london. baker street, 22/05/2009 10:08
Report abuse
YES! YES! Let's have as many negative suggestions about what will happen as possible!
Wombles will be slaughtered! Tube train fares will be three million quid! Everyone will eat virgins!
Please - can we have a reality check?
You people just want to trash everything. Can't we be a little more positive?
- Alan Potter, London, UK, 22/05/2009 09:53
Report abuse
Its bad enough try to walk along it in the week without a carnival taking up more space. I would rather go and have my teeth pulled.
- Nick, Luton, 22/05/2009 09:28
Report abuse
I predict stabbings, snatch and grabs, lots of pushing and shoving and a brawl. STAY AWAY
- Ben Farrell, London, 21/05/2009 13:26
Report abuse
Great!
No direct buses into the West End and the tube is far too expensive. Croydon or Bromley for me and mine then on Monday!
- Mark, South-East London, 21/05/2009 09:37
Report abuse
