HAVE A JOLLY (SAFE) CHRISTMAS

L O N D O N ’ S W E S T E N D I S O P E N T H I S D E C E M B E R

C H R I S T M A S 2 0 2 0

IN THIS PACK

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1. The Current Environment Trading guidance for West End businesses

Latest additions to the UK Government’s Three-Tier System

Tier 2 Restrictions in Detail

Financial Support & Grants

2. Customer Experience Security and cleaning services available to West End businesses over the Christmas period

Transport and wayfinding initiatives to help customer get around our district safely

Traffic-Free Saturdays; World-Famous Christmas Lights; Something New Coming to Bond Street

Always on Marketing Activity

3. Advocacy & Communications New West End Company advocacy campaigns to support the recovery for West End businesses,

including our asks for Christmas Trading

Member and Media communications programme to promote our advocacy and customer confidence agenda

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THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT

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THREE-TIER SYSTEM: MEDIUM

NEW TIER CHANGES

Work from home where possible

The 10pm curfew will be extended to 11pm with last orders taking place at 10pm

A limited number of fans can return to sports stadiums

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THREE-TIER SYSTEM: HIGH

NEW TIER CHANGES

Alcohol only to be served with a substantial meal

The 10pm curfew will be extended to 11pm with last orders taking place at 10pm

A limited number of fans can return to sports stadiums

London has been placed in the High Alert

Level from Wednesday 2 December

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THREE-TIER SYSTEM: VERY HIGH

NEW TIER CHANGES

Indoor entertainment, hotels and all forms of hospitality will close, except for takeaways

all areas in Tier 3 will be offered a six-week surge in rapid testing

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TIER 2 RESTRICTIONS IN DETAIL L O N D O N W I L L B E P L A C E D I N T I E R 2 F R O M W E D N E S D A Y 2 D E C E M B E R . P L E A S E S E E

B E L O W A N O V E R V I E W O F T H E R E S T R I C T I O N S A N D R U L E S I N T I E R 2 A N D W H A T T H I S M E A N S F O R B U S I N E S S E S :

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE

Pubs and bars can only remain open if they are

operating as restaurants. All hospitality venues can

only serve alcohol with substantial meals

Hospitality businesses selling food or drink for

consumption on their premises are required to:

provide table service only

close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality

venues in airports, ports, transport services and

motorway service areas are exempt)

stop taking orders after 10pm

Hospitality businesses and venues can continue to sell

food and drink after 10pm as long as this is through

delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

VENUES, FUNCTIONS, PLACES OF WORSHIP & SPORTS

The 11pm closure applies to casinos, cinemas,

theatres & museums.

Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events is

permitted with restrictions. Public attendance at

spectator sport and business events can resume

Places of worship remain open with social contact

restrictions

Weddings & funerals can go ahead with restrictions on

attendees: 15 can attend weddings and receptions, 30

can attend funerals

Outdoor sport & exercise classes can continue, while

indoor activities are permitted if it’s possible to avoid

mixing with people you do not live with

TRAVEL

Travel to work, venues and amenities is allowed but

people should aim to reduce the number of

journeys made where possible

If you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to

follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area.

Travel to a tier 3 area should be for essential

reasons only, such as work, education or for medical

treatment or care

TRADING GUIDANCE

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We encourage our West End businesses to ensure that they have Covid-secure contingency plans in

place, move any major sales, promotions & incentives to online site and prepare for local

restriction changes at short notice.

For further trading advice, please click the relevant links below:

Shops & Branches

Restaurants, pubs, bars & takeaway services

Hotels & other guest accommodation

Offices & contact centres

Close contact services

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a licensed bar or pub that does not normally offer substantial meals, but would like to do so from 2 December, please contact Westminster City Council at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk. You will then be able to trade in Tier 2. Alternatively, businesses can go online at and update records themselves here.

T H E S A F E T Y O F O U R C O L L E A G U E S A N D C U S T O M E R S I S O U R T O P P R I O R I T Y.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-brancheshttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-deliveryhttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/hotels-and-other-guest-accommodationhttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centreshttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-servicesmailto:businessunit@westminster.gov.ukhttps://www.westminster.gov.uk/registration-food-business

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The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended through until March. Workers can retain their job and be paid at least 80%

of their salary up to £2500 a month. Businesses will be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions. The

flexibility of the current scheme will also be retained to allow employees to continue to work where they can

Businesses can also apply for £1,000 for every furloughed employee kept on until at least the end of January, or £1,500 for each

unemployed 16- to 24-year-old given a ‘‘high-quality’’ work placement for at least six months.

Businesses that are forced to close will receive grants of up to £3,000 per month under the Local Restrictions Support Grant

LOCAL RESTRICTIONS SUPPORT GRANTS

The grant has been provided to assist businesses that have been mandated to close during the national lockdown. Grants remain

available once lockdown ends. Businesses required to close due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the following:

For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;

For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;

For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.

Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant

To apply to Westminster City Council, please fill in the form here, and return a scanned copy to Westminster.nndr@secure.capita.co.uk

FINANCIAL SUPPORT & GRANTS

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-the-coronavirus-local-restrictions-support-grant-for-closed-businesseshttps://www.newwestend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WCC_LOCAL_SUPPORT_GRANT.pdfmailto:Westminster.nndr@secure.capita.co.uk

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CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

E N S U R I N G O U R C U S T O M E R S C A N

E N J O Y T H E W E S T E N D F E S T I V I T I E S I N

A S A F E & S E C U R E W A Y

CLEANSING & SECURITY

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W E W I L L P R O V I D E A S A F E A N D S E C U R E W E S T E N D

F O R O U R C O L L E A G U E S & C U S T O M E R S T H I S

C H R I S T M A S , T O M A I N T A I N C O N F I D E N C E I N O U R

C O V I D - S E C U R E D I S T R I C T

SECURITY SERVICES

We are increasing our Security team from 13 to 19 officers for reopening on Wednesday 3 December and will be reviewing numbers throughout the Christmas trading period.

Our Security Officers will continue to work Monday - Sunday 7am -9.30pm. The team are directly available on: 07900738810 or on the New West End Company Radio Channel 1.

Our overnight dog patrols will continue to run from 9pm across the district. If you would like to enquire about particular patrols around your premises please contact anas.wihaib@newwestend.com

Our secure Chat channel designed for New West End Security Members can be used to share up to date information on those who have acted suspiciously or committed a crime in the area. Files can be shared with neighbouring stores, security managers & local groups. Click to download the Chat Channels on iOS and Android.

CLEANSING SERVICES

Fogging operatives disinfecting street furniture in the area Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm

Operatives within our Clean Team will continue to work Monday-Sunday 24 hours a day. The team are directly available on: 07920086324 or on email at clean.team@newwestend.com

The team will respond to requests within 30 minutes

The Clean Team will only not be operating on Christmas Day

mailto:anas.wihaib@newwestend.comhttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/sentinel-chat-channels/id1481819694?ls=1https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yudu.sentinelchatchannelsmailto:clean.team@newwestend.com

TRAVEL & WAYFINDING

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F I N D I N G Y O U R W A Y A R O U N D T H E W E S T E N D C O U L D N ’ T B E

E A S I E R , W H E T H E R Y O U A R E L O O K I N G F O R T H E N E A R E S T

S A N I T I S A T I O N P O I N T O R B I K E P A R K I N G

Social distancing ambassadors will be operating in the area Monday -Friday 9am - 7pm

Our hand sanitisation totems have been updated to include a wayfinding QR code linked to our West End district map

Our free Bike Marking service in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service and our free DR Bike maintenance sessions will take place on 10 and 17 December

• By scanning our QR code, you can access a map which includes details of

where you can park your bike. We have worked with Westminster City Council

to install additional cycle parking around the area. This includes our own bike

parking bays in partnership with Cycle Hoop, as well as secure parking facilities

such as Bike Drop (launched by The Crown Estate).

https://www.newwestend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/toberlone.jpghttps://www.cyclehoop.com/https://www.bike-drop.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjws536BRDTARIsANeUZ59btIGYrQbQO96hh2xep6EpfWS_sJNtxLYB5CsMOgHVpL8_Ubcxv_saAntlEALw_wcBhttps://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/en-gb/media-and-insights/news/innovative-new-bike-drop-concept-to-launch-in-london-s-west-end/

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TRAFFIC-FREE SATURDAYSThe Christmas shopping and dining experience is one of the most memorable and

cherished occasions in the calendar, and this year, in partnership with Westminster

City Council, The Crown Estate & Shaftesbury Plc, West End retailers and

restaurateurs are coming together as part of #MyWestEnd to orchestrate a series of

traffic free Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas.

Regent Street will be pedestrianised from 10am – 9pm on Saturday 5, 12 and 19

December for visitors to shop comfortably and view the world-class Christmas

installations and festive windows throughout the West End.

To find out more, please contact Luciana.Magliocco@newwestend.com

mailto:Luciana.Magliocco@newwestend.com

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WORLD-FAMOUS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Oxford Street Christmas Lights Heroes campaign is well underway, with a new hero being

celebrated in the lights each week in our Oxford Circus Gateways. Click here to find out more

about the campaign and to nominate your hero.

For beautiful light installations, visit Bond Street to see the peacock-inspired Christmas lights,

with 250,000 individual bulbs illuminating London’s famous luxury destination

“The Spirit of Christmas” light scheme has returned to Regent Street, with 300,000 LED lights

on the 45 handcrafted Spirits and 64 sparkling white nets creating a canopy of light across the

West End.

https://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/christmaslights2020/

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SOMETHING NEW

On Wednesday 2 December, mini Christmas trees will line New & Old Bond Street, and

we will be lighting the brand new Bond Street Christmas tree, complete with a

beautiful digital surprise and brass band in the Town Square

Brands such as Cartier, Tiffany, Bulgari, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren will be

showcasing their beautiful Christmas facades - some of the most Instagrammed

Christmas shop fronts in the world. We will be launching our West End Instagram Trail

on Wednesday 2 December

Look out for #unboxing social media moments and pop-up little festive treats

W E ’ V E S A V E D A S P E C I A L S U R P R I S E F O R O U R C H R I S T M A S R E O P E N I N G

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Throughout the festive period we will be positioning the West End as a COVID-safe destination in which to enjoy a truly unique Christmas experience. We will be promoting hero product, in store services, festive menus, staycation packages and festive activity that can only be found in the West End, through New West End Company’s customer channels and key partner platforms:

Oxford Street website, social channels and newsletter

Bond Street website, social channels and newsletter

The West End Club loyalty app

Visit London website, social channels and content curator itineraries

Our Christmas campaign activity will also be included in Westminster City Council’s wider campaign and will be supported by Transport for London’s digital channels

To include your activity in our promotional programme, please share content with westendmarketing@newwestend.com

WEST END WIDE ACTIVITYA L W A Y S O N C U S T O M E R M A R K E T I N G

mailto:westendmarketing@newwestend.com

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GIVING BACK THIS CHRISTMAS

The Giving Bear will once again return to the West End on Wednesday 2 December, this year in Berkeley Square. In line

with our Heroes campaign, we will be partnering with the Our Frontline charity, which supports key workers experiencing

mental health issues.

We are continuing to support The Connection at St Martin’s In The Field throughout the Christmas season, through funding outreach workers to help the most vulnerable in our district

https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ourfrontline/

ADVOCACY & COMMUNICATIONS

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As we continue to respond to Covid-19, our top campaigning priorities over the next 12 months are:

To reverse decision to abolish Tax Free Shopping

To call for continued Business Rates relief until fundamental reform

To get started on £150m Oxford Street District Scheme

To push the Mayor and Transport for London to open Crossrail as soon as possible

To present and activate temporary uses & empty voids across West End to encourage customers back

As we approach Christmas trading, we are also:

Campaigning for travel incentives from Transport for London for black cab, Underground and bus users over Christmas

More regular reviews of the “Work at Home” advice to ensure that official messaging is actively promoting confidence and

encouraging people to return to offices and high streets

Continuing to campaign with London Business Groups on an evidence led approach to keep London in Tier 2 and ideally Tier 1

CHRISTMAS ADVOCACYA L O N G S I D E O U R T O P F I V E K E Y A S K S , W E ’ R E A L S O C A M P A I G N I N G T O I N S T I L

C U S T O M E R C O N F I D E N C E O V E R T H E F E S T I V E S E A S O N & F O R A U T H O R I T I E S T O S U P P O R T T H E B E S T T R A D I N G E N V I R O N M E N T

CHRISTMAS COMMUNICATIONS

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W E A R E W O R K I N G W I T H M E M B E R S &

P A R T N E R S T O B U I L D C L E A R A N D C O N S I S I T E N T

M E S S A G I N G T O K E E P Y O U I N F O R M E D O F

D I S T R I C T P E R F O R M A N C E D U R I N G T H E

C H R I S T M A S P E R I O D

Daily Footfall and monthly trading reports

Covid-19 Updates once a week

West End Member Update monthly

Monthly West End Recovery LIVE invitations for 2021

Our Management Group calls will take place regularly to discuss trading & operations

management

TELLING THE WEST END STORY

In addition, we will be regularly reporting on the

trading environment & footfall to key media to

support our advocacy asks, while shaping a

narrative that positions the West End as a safe

destination where customers can enjoy all the

festive offerings of the district

The below member communications will continue as usual:

THANK YOUF O R A N Y C O V I D R E C O V E R Y Q U E R I E S , P L E A S E C O N T A C T

C O V I D @ N E W W E S T E N D . C O M

F O R S T R E E T M A R K E T I N G Q U E R I E S , P L E A S E C O N T A C T :

O X F O R D S T R E E T : L u c i a n a . M a g l i o c c o @ n e w w e s t e n d . c o m

B O N D S T & M A Y F A I R : K a t i e . T h o m a s @ n e w w e s t e n d . c o m

R E G E N T S T R E E T : T h e C r o w n E s t a t e r s r @ t c s - u k . n e t

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mailto:COVID@NEWWESTEND.COMmailto:Luciana.Magliocco@newwestend.commailto:Katie.Thomas@newwestend.commailto:rsr@tcs-uk.net

HAVE A JOLLY (SAFE) CHRISTMASIn this packThe current environmentSlide Number 4Slide Number 5Slide Number 6Slide Number 7Trading GUIDANCESlide Number 9Slide Number 10CLEANSING & SECURITYTRAVEL & WAYFINDINGSlide Number 13Slide Number 14Slide Number 15Slide Number 16Slide Number 17Advocacy & COMMUNICATIONSSlide Number 19CHRISTMAS communicationsTHANK YOU