London’s most famous shopping district has been given hope after a year of terror.

In recent years, Oxford Street has been blighted by the spread of ‘American style’ candy stores. However, after a recent crackdown by Westminster Council, the number has fallen from a record high of 29 to 21.

Along with Trading Standards, they are working on a probe into the shops over allegations some have evaded £8million worth of business rates.

Oxford Street has been in decline in recent years after the departure of major names such as House of Fraser, Topshop, and Debenhams.

The Mail reported that since the council began removing these shops it has recovered scores of illegal and counterfeit goods.

READ MORE Geri Horner absent from Beckham premiere as Christian and daughter go alone[LATEST]

What’s more, a new report this week found that the council’s actions are starting to have an impact.

It said: “We have ramped up the pressure on Candy stores, souvenir and vape shops, to make clear the status quo is not acceptable.

“Following multiple attempts to engage with each freeholder and long leaseholder, requesting that they do all they can to stop letting agents leasing empty properties to candy stores or souvenir shops, we then carried out a transparency release of those who failed to engage positively with the council.”

They added: “This exercise triggered a number of conversations with freeholders and long leaseholders on the specific actions that could help to remove candy stores in their particular contractual situations.

“Those conversations are ongoing, with some parties even inviting trading standards action to enable them to begin legal action against their tenants.”

Leader of Westminster City Council Adam Hug said: “We have energetically pursued unscrupulous traders who sell unsafe or fake goods, impounding more than £1million of items in 18 months.”

Mr Hug said the shops “form part of a sophisticated operation which is skilled at exploiting UK legal loopholes”.

Although removing all of the candy shops could help Oxford Street, there are growing questions about what should replace them.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

DON’T MISS
HS2 will go to Manchester but ‘will switch tracks at Birmingham'[REPORT]
Lifelike on Earth! Amazing new waxwork of Sir David Attenborough unveiled[REPORT]
Tory politician removed after heckling Suella Braverman during conference speech[REPORT]

Writing in the Evening Standard Dylan Jones said Oxford Street had to open itself up to the kind of investment that desires long-term success.

He said: “I would suggest that Oxford Street needs a purpose-built West End theatre, a new cinema, an Eataly-style food hall, some public sculpture, some alfresco dining, a decent cycle lane…and serious private policing.

“Move it upmarket, make it chic, make it European. Have street theatre, have installations, have anything.

“Open the place up to the kind of investment that wants long-term success.”

Source: Read Full Article