Our vision

The need for change

What is at stake?

The long term success of Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus as a nationally important hub for commerce, culture and leisure. Without bold, future-focused investment, these iconic streets risk falling behind, especially in the wake of strong competition from other places. Together we can set a new global benchmark as the world’s best destination and a place for everyone.

Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus is home to:

• 94k Jobs supporting £11.3bn Gross Value Added (GVA).
• 700 Listed buildings.

Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus is a thriving area that supports London’s global reputation and competitiveness:

• Over 70m visits to Regent Street per year. This is 10 times more than the UK’s top rated visitor destination.
• Regent Street is in the Top 5 Retail Streets in Europe.
• 37% International visitors: a focal point for tourism in the UK.
• +98% GVA Growth: More than double GVA growth recorded across London and the UK over the past decade.

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Why action is needed

There are significant threats which if left unaddressed will erode the attractiveness of Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus as a place to visit, work, live and invest.

We can make a difference if we act now

Evidence from the UK and across the world shows that investing in the comfort, quality and safety of the public realm leads to improved economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Many of the world’s leading cities are proactively investing in improving the quality of their city centres, with a focus on transforming and improving levels of urban greening, comfort and accessibility for residents, workers and visitors.

• Following public realm improvements delivered by TfL and London boroughs, there was a 93% boost in active street behaviours such as walking, resulting in healthier and more active lifestyles.
• Shoppers will visit more often and travel further to retail streets with well maintained tree cover, increasing spend by up to 12% on goods and services.  
• Following streetscape improvements around Times Square and Herald Square, in New York City there was a 84% increase in dwell time. 

Our vision

In 2023, the public helped shape a vision for this area. What emerged was a strong set of shared ambitions that now inform our approach and set a clear direction for design. These ambitions go beyond aesthetics; they respond to the realities of climate change, economic shifts, and evolving social needs.

You can find out more about the public engagement that shaped this project, and read more about how we shaped a vision for Regent Street here.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine some of London’s most iconic streets. By unlocking the full potential of the public realm, we can create world-class spaces that feel welcoming, resilient and vibrant – spaces that invite people to stay, connect, and experience the city in new ways. Together, we can position Regent Street, Haymarket, and Piccadilly Circus not just as destinations, but as global exemplars of how cities can adapt, lead, and inspire.

Our key aspirations are to make the area:

• World-class destination: Celebrate spaces that reflects London’s position as a global capital
• Accessible, safe and inclusive: Create spaces that work for everyone to experience, explore and enjoy
• Green and Sustainable: Ensure spaces are resilient to changes in our climate for generations to come

The below image shows our three key ambitions for the public realm for Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus in the centre. The outer circles show key themes that the public have told us are a priority for Regent Street. The bigger the circle, the bigger that priority is for the public.