Opening a Shop on Oxford Street: Area Guide

Oxford Street is London’s best-known shopping street, running about 1.9 km through Westminster from Marble Arch in the west to Tottenham Court Road in the east. Alongside department stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis, it is home to the London flagships of international retail brands.

The street is at the start of a major change: its central section is closing to traffic and a new body now oversees it. In this guide we look at which brands Oxford Street suits, rents and costs, and what to check when leasing a shop here.

What is changing on Oxford Street?

The Mayor of London’s plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street began to take effect in 2026. According to the announcements, the first phase closes the roughly 0.9 km section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, including Oxford Circus, to traffic from 26 October 2026. Buses, taxis and private vehicles can no longer drive through it; emergency vehicles and some servicing vehicles keep access at set times.

Planning powers for the street have passed to the Oxford Street Development Corporation, set up for the purpose. Later phases for the eastern and western ends will be considered separately.

Rents and costs

According to Cushman & Wakefield’s “Main Streets Across the World” report, published on 19 November 2025, rents on London’s New Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street rose by double digits in a year, while vacancy fell to around 5%.

Rents on Oxford Street vary noticeably along the street: the area around Oxford Circus is not priced like the Marble Arch or Tottenham Court Road ends. On top of rent, business rates, service charges and insurance make up a significant share of the total cost of occupation.

Who is Oxford Street for?

Oxford Street’s strength is footfall. It is a strong address for brands whose model relies on converting high visitor numbers into sales, and a London flagship and brand-experience location for international brands.

If the budget or concept does not fit the main street, the side streets and neighbouring areas (Marylebone, Soho, Fitzrovia) can offer more affordable options that still benefit from the same visitor flow.

What to check when leasing a shop on Oxford Street

Sources

• Cushman & Wakefield – Main Streets Across the World 2025 (19 November 2025)
• Londontopia – Oxford Street goes traffic-free on 26 October
• Fitzrovia News – Street works by TfL ahead of Oxford Street pedestrianisation day (October 2026)
• Wikipedia – Oxford Street Development Corporation
• Wikipedia – Oxford Street

Brands named in this guide are mentioned only to illustrate what trades in the area; none of them has any relationship with ATOG Group. Information reflects the sources available at the time of publication and is for general guidance only.