London's West End launches campaign to signal post-pandemic bounce-back

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
May 27, 2022

In a bid to return it its pre-pandemic-attraction highs, London’s West End is “back with a bang” this summer. The district, which includes Mayfair, Soho, Covent Garden, St James's, Piccadilly, Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square, is launching a a four-month (June-September) campaign of 50 “uniquely thrilling experiences” for visitors “that can only be found in the central London area this summer”.

Over 100 streets and destinations across the West End have come together to create a programme of “must- see, must-do, must-share experiences… to welcome visitors to this much-loved global hotspot”.

It will all start with the biggest event in the UK calendar this year, with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee kick-starting the summer celebrations. Some 4,500 flags will be raised across the West End with the area staging “once-in-a-lifetime street parties”, summer festivals and theatre shows “and the very best that can be found across music, art, culture shopping and dining”.

Meanwhile, Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Piccadilly & St James’s will feature ‘Jubilee and Union Jack flags, while nearby Seven Dials will stage a weekend of street entertainment and activities. Major retailers have special events, including John Lewis and Fortnum and Mason.

Michelle McGrath, spokesperson for London’s West End, said: “Following the last two years of restrictions, visitor numbers and bookings are bouncing back. Nowhere else offers the diversity, energy and creativity of the West End; from the most spectacular summer festivals and thrilling theatre shows to an incredibly varied music, arts and culture scene and, of course, unrivalled shopping and dining.”