London Mayor Sadiq Khan announces plans to expand 'Ulez' low emission zones in all 32 London boroughs. Photo: James Manning/PA
Ulez Sadiq Khan's regime has helped create “ghost towns in central London,” the Heal's boss warned as the battle over the historic furniture store tumbles West End football.
Hamish Mansbridge, chief executive of Heal's, whose iconic store is on London's Tottenham Court Road, said politics, including London Mayor Ulez's, are actively preventing local tourists from visiting the UK capital.
The Ultra Low Emissions Zone currently covers central London and charges drivers whose vehicles are deemed too old and polluting. It will be expanded to all 32 London boroughs in August.
Mr Mansbridge said West End shops have struggled to attract shoppers amid a wave of policy measures to stop people from traveling to London.
Heal boss Hamish Mansbridge says London's downtown streets are seeing lower traffic than before the pandemic
“I do not hide it, we are seeing significantly lower attendance than before the pandemic, and this is a challenge. You have congestion fees, parking difficulties, subway strikes, train strikes, a cost-of-living crisis, and then Ulez. You call it like they're actively trying to discourage people from coming to central London.”
Mr Mansbridge said it is only now “too late that they are realizing they are creating ghost towns in central London”. He added: “Certainly, care must be taken to make this job better.”
Heal began life in 1810 when founder John Harris Heal introduced feather-filled mattresses to London. At that time he opened a shop in Rathbone Place, but in 1819 he moved to Tottenham Court Road. For the past 200 years, his flagship store has been located on this street.
He recently completed a major renovation and reopened his store last week, expanding it to an additional piece of property. This means that the front of the store is now twice as large as before.
Mr Mansbridge said that without Heal's Tottenham Court Road “would not exist as London's furniture street”.
It comes amid broader questions about the future of the UK capital as a shopping center after luxury brands pressured ministers last week to veer off VAT-free shopping. Stores including Burberry allege that shoppers are being forced to visit other European luxury capitals, including Paris and Milan, due to UK politics.
Marks & Spencer chief Stuart Machin said last week that London was “on life support” after the economic turmoil hit retailers in the city.
Writing for the Evening Standard, Mr Machin said: “The High Street, which should be the jewel in London's crown today, is a national disgrace, with gaudy patisserie proliferation, anti-social behavior and traffic remaining in decline, 11% lower. at pre-pandemic levels.”
ULEZ's London expansion plan
Heals chief Mr Mansbridge said Oxford Street, where many American patisseries are opening, was a “challenge”. “It definitely needs some attention,” he said.
Last August, Westminster Council said it was investigating 30 American-style confectioneries that have taken advantage of Oxford Circus in recent years and are accused of commercial rates. evasion.
Mr Mansbridge said Tottenham Court Road's position as the premier furniture shopping destination, where “all the big furniture companies want to be” helps keep bringing shoppers to their doors.
However, he added that “there are no doubt fewer people coming, and this is partly because Oxford Street as a destination is less popular and therefore fewer people come around the corner on Tottenham Court Road.”
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