Oxford Street closes to traffic on 26 October, new renders show

Oxford Street will close to traffic on 26 October, and new renders by local architecture studio East reveal how the London shopping destination will look once pedestrianised.

East is working with landscape architecture studio JL Gibbons and urban design studios Gehl and Publica on the first phase of the transformation. The phase spans about one kilometre between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.

The renders show wide, walkable streets lined with trees, benches and tables.

What happens on 26 October?

Buses, taxis, bikes and cars will be diverted to nearby roads as traffic stops on the one-kilometre section. The first phase will involve temporary changes designed to gather feedback on how visitors and residents use the open space. That feedback will influence later permanent designs.

"Stopping traffic on 26 October is just the beginning of the process, but from that day onwards we'll start to see a more welcoming and inclusive Oxford Street with new seating, new public spaces and plenty of trees in place by spring 2027," said East director Julian Lewis.

Who is designing the rest of the street?

The remaining stretch of Oxford Street, from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road, will be transformed by:

• architecture studio Hawkins\Brown
• design firms Aspect Studios and Urban Movement
• lighting designer Michael Grubb Studios
• heritage consultant Authentic Futures

The full street transformation is expected to be completed by spring 2027. It will add over 50 trees, two public squares, improved signage, seating and dining tables.

Nabeel Khan, CEO of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, which is overseeing the pedestrianisation project, stressed the value of the test phase. "The first stage of works will see a test phase put in place, which is a vital opportunity for us to learn from people's experiences and work closely with local communities, businesses and accessibility groups to ensure the future street is as welcoming and inclusive as possible," he said.

What does the mayor say?

London mayor Sadiq Khan framed the closure as the start of a wider shift for what he called the nation's high street.

"I'm delighted that on 26 October the transformation of the nation's high street into a pedestrian plaza will begin in earnest – a world-class space where flagship retail will sit alongside next-generation workplaces, designed to host exciting retail and leisure experiences from sport to fashion and cultural events in the future," Khan said.

"Revitalising Oxford Street will help to supercharge regeneration, boosting jobs and economic growth in the capital and beyond," he continued. "I can't wait to start delivering these ambitious plans and unlocking the full potential of this iconic area as we continue building a greener, better, more prosperous London for everyone."

Why the project took nearly a decade

Khan first announced plans for a traffic-free Oxford Street in 2017. Westminster Council blocked the original scheme in 2018. Last year, Khan announced the plans would move forward "as quickly as possible".

With traffic stopping later this month and the permanent scheme due by spring 2027, the temporary first phase now becomes the testing ground that will shape the final design of the capital's most famous shopping street.