Celebrate a different view of London’s West End with four consecutive traffic-free Sundays this summer: 7, 14, 21 & 28 July 2013
Regent Street, London W1 is to become
traffic-free every Sunday throughout July as part of the “Summer Streets”
programme – the first of its kind in the UK – in partnership with the Mayor of
London.
Each Sunday, on 7, 14, 21 and 28 July, people will experience
London’s iconic Regent Street as a traffic-free destination. Visitors will be
able to relax and enjoy a creative programme of performances, fashion and
installations, and participate in free exercise classes, games and sensory
experiences. Summer Streets will make the area a more pleasant experience for
residents and visitors alike, enhancing the environment for shoppers and
sightseers to enjoy this central location in the heart of the West End.
Originally inspired by ideas in the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy
and a similar initiative in New York City, Summer Streets will encourage
shoppers to experience London’s finest retail venues in a different way. It
will make the most of the international flagship fashion stores located on
Regent Street, creating a fun showcase for the shopping experience every
Sunday, when they will be able to enjoy the open space, relaxed atmosphere and
cleaner air.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Summer Streets is
a fabulous way to experience one of the country's finest retail destinations
every Sunday in July. With its exceptional Nash design few areas can rival the
rich history of Regent Street. We want to make shopping in the flagship stores
and eating in the nearby restaurants even more enjoyable, turning a visit to
this world-renowned street the ultimate summer shopping treat.”
With the street free from traffic and open to all, visitors can
make the most of their visit by downloading the free Regent Street Walking Tour
iPhone app from the App Store, which takes users on a step-by-step guide of the
famous architectural and historic features of the street. If shopping is high
on their agenda, visitors can also download the free Regent Street Shopping
& Lifestyle iPhone app.
Annie Walker, Director of the Regent Street Association, said:
“Summer Streets provides a unique opportunity for pedestrians to experience
Regent Street at its best, with its wide, open spaces and beautiful
architecture.
With over 75 flagship stores to explore, people can make the most
of their time shopping with four consecutive traffic-free Sundays.”
Summer Streets on Regent Street was inspired by an annual
initiative in New York City when nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened
for people to enjoy, while encouraging New Yorkers to use more sustainable
forms of transportation.
Cllr Daniel Astaire, Westminster Council’s Cabinet Member for
Business said: “The Summer Streets
initiative on Regent Street is a thought-provoking and interesting project and
I look forward to seeing its impact on businesses in the area.”
Regent Street provides a world class shopping experience and has
many promotional initiatives in place, including the Regent Street gift card
that is accepted in over 135 stores, hotels and restaurants, including the two
Food Quarters, Heddon Street and Swallow Street. Regent Street’s Shopping App
helps shoppers navigate the area, showcasing the street’s diverse shopping,
fashion and lifestyle offer, as well as the Regent Street Walking Tour app,
which gives users a fascinating guide to the renowned architecture of the
famous curve. The newest service launched by Regent Street is ‘Hands-Free
Shopping’ which allows customers to shop and have their bags delivered home or
to their hotel for a flat fee of £30, within designated postcodes, allowing
customers the freedom to make the most of their trip.
Each weekend, visitors can enjoy and
join in with the following activities:
- Free on street exercise classes, including yoga and zumba.
- Join in hoola hoop workshops, or a mass singing or dancing moment.
- On Sunday 21st, visitors can dress up in their favourite outfit and walk the Regent Street catwalk, or bring their children for an architectural treasure hunt.
- On Sunday 28th July, relax in the Gardens of Regent Street when the street will become London’s inner-most green space with flower stalls, gardening tips and bee keeping. Go to http://www.regentstreetonline.com/summerstreets or follow us on Twitter @RegentStOnline #SummerStreets to register your interest.
Summer Streets will take place at
12pm- 6pm, and Regent Street will be traffic-free from 10am - 7pm. A map showing the showing the closure can be
found on regentstreetonline.com.
Bus services that normally serve
Regent Street will be diverted or run short of their final destination. Check www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner and local bus stops for more details.
As well as being well served by bus
routes, the nearest Tube stations for the event are Oxford Circus and
Piccadilly Circus. Leicester Square and Bond Street stations are also a short
walk away.
