Summer Streets on Regent Street

Celebrate a different view of London’s West End with four consecutive traffic-free Sundays this summer: 7, 14, 21 & 28 July 2013

Regent Street, London W1 is to become traffic-free every Sunday throughout July as part of the “Summer Streets” programme – the first of its kind in the UK – in partnership with the Mayor of London.

Each Sunday, on 7, 14, 21 and 28 July, people will experience London’s iconic Regent Street as a traffic-free destination. Visitors will be able to relax and enjoy a creative programme of performances, fashion and installations, and participate in free exercise classes, games and sensory experiences. Summer Streets will make the area a more pleasant experience for residents and visitors alike, enhancing the environment for shoppers and sightseers to enjoy this central location in the heart of the West End.

Originally inspired by ideas in the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy and a similar initiative in New York City, Summer Streets will encourage shoppers to experience London’s finest retail venues in a different way. It will make the most of the international flagship fashion stores located on Regent Street, creating a fun showcase for the shopping experience every Sunday, when they will be able to enjoy the open space, relaxed atmosphere and cleaner air.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Summer Streets is a fabulous way to experience one of the country's finest retail destinations every Sunday in July. With its exceptional Nash design few areas can rival the rich history of Regent Street. We want to make shopping in the flagship stores and eating in the nearby restaurants even more enjoyable, turning a visit to this world-renowned street the ultimate summer shopping treat.”

With the street free from traffic and open to all, visitors can make the most of their visit by downloading the free Regent Street Walking Tour iPhone app from the App Store, which takes users on a step-by-step guide of the famous architectural and historic features of the street. If shopping is high on their agenda, visitors can also download the free Regent Street Shopping & Lifestyle iPhone app.

Annie Walker, Director of the Regent Street Association, said: “Summer Streets provides a unique opportunity for pedestrians to experience Regent Street at its best, with its wide, open spaces and beautiful architecture. With over 75 flagship stores to explore, people can make the most of their time shopping with four consecutive traffic-free Sundays.”

Summer Streets on Regent Street was inspired by an annual initiative in New York City when nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to enjoy, while encouraging New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation.

Cllr Daniel Astaire, Westminster Council’s Cabinet Member for Business said:  “The Summer Streets initiative on Regent Street is a thought-provoking and interesting project and I look forward to seeing its impact on businesses in the area.”

Regent Street provides a world class shopping experience and has many promotional initiatives in place, including the Regent Street gift card that is accepted in over 135 stores, hotels and restaurants, including the two Food Quarters, Heddon Street and Swallow Street. Regent Street’s Shopping App helps shoppers navigate the area, showcasing the street’s diverse shopping, fashion and lifestyle offer, as well as the Regent Street Walking Tour app, which gives users a fascinating guide to the renowned architecture of the famous curve. The newest service launched by Regent Street is ‘Hands-Free Shopping’ which allows customers to shop and have their bags delivered home or to their hotel for a flat fee of £30, within designated postcodes, allowing customers the freedom to make the most of their trip.

RegentStreetOnline.com             

facebook.com/RegentStreetOfficial

twitter.com/RegentStOnline    

instagram.com/RegentStreetOfficial

pinterest.com/RegentStreet

soundcloud.com/RegentStreetOfficial

youtube.com/RegentStreetTV

Notes to Editors

The Regent Street Association (RSA) and The Crown Estate (TCE), in collaboration with Westminster City Council (WCC), Transport for London (TFL) and the Mayor of London are organising “Summer Streets”, when Regent Street will operate traffic-free for four consecutive Sundays in July 2013.

This provides a unique opportunity for pedestrians to experience London without the noise and pollution caused by traffic.  The intention is to encourage visitors to walk to Regent Street and for them to enjoy the cleaner air and open space, and a relaxed shopping experience.

Summer Streets on Regent Street

Celebrate a different view of London’s West End with four consecutive traffic-free Sundays this summer: 7, 14, 21 & 28 July 2013

Each weekend, visitors can enjoy and join in with the following activities:

• Free on street exercise classes, including yoga and zumba.
• Join in hoola hoop workshops, or a mass singing or dancing moment.
• Om Sunday 21st, visitors can dress up in their favourite outfit and walk the Regent Street catwalk, or bring their children for an architectural treasure hunt.

On Sunday 28th July, relax in the Gardens of Regent Street when the street will become London’s inner-most green space with flower stalls, gardening tips and bee keeping. Go to www.regentstreetonline.com/summerstreets or follow us on Twitter @RegentStOnline #SummerStreets to register your interest.

Summer Streets will take place at 12pm- 6pm, and Regent Street will be traffic-free from 10am - 7pm.  A map showing the showing the closure can be found on regentstreetonline.com.  

Bus services that normally serve Regent Street will be diverted or run short of their final destination. Check www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner and local bus stops for more details.

As well as being well served by bus routes, the nearest Tube stations for the event are Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. Leicester Square and Bond Street stations are also a short walk away.

RegentStreetOnline.com             

facebook.com/RegentStreetOfficial

twitter.com/RegentStOnline    

instagram.com/RegentStreetOfficial

pinterest.com/RegentStreet

soundcloud.com/RegentStreetOfficial

For further information please contact Verity Ramsay or Sarah Millar

T: 44 (0)20 7287 9601        

Email: verity.ramsay@sisteris.com or Email: sarah.millar@sisteris.com

Sister, a creative multi-channel communications agency that strategically integrates public relations with marketing, advertising, social media, digital design, web development, music and film production.

In our efforts to minimise our impact on the environment, please consider whether you need to print out this information.
 
This communication and all information contained are confidential and may be legally privileged. The content is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient it is hereby brought to your notice that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or dissemination, or alternatively the taking of any action in reliance on it, is strictly prohibited and may constitute grounds for legal action, either civil or criminal.

Tags: