Westminster seeks start-ups to kick out Oxford Street candy shops
Westminster City Council is looking for start-up companies and creatives to push out Oxford Street’s candy, vape, and souvenir shops.
The council, in collaboration with the New West End Company and placemaking business Someday Studios, is offering up-and-coming companies the chance to take space on Britain’s prime shopping street for free.
Over the next three years, the leases on unwanted stores will be taken over and offered for six months to prospective businesses, free of charge. The new retailers will also be offered a 70% reduction on business rates liability throughout their tenancies.
Retailers will also be offered mentoring from Someday Studios and Westminster City Council, including PR and marketing support.
Many candy shops took over sites from gift shops during the Pandemic, and were able to remain open as they sold food. In March, it was reported that over £1 million of illegal and counterfeit goods were seized from Oxford Street’s souvenir shops and candy stores.