West End initiatives

Welcome to the West End

Britain’s shop window and a cultural jewel, the West End is the thriving commercial heart of London.

A world-famous location, the West End’s Oxford, Regent and Bond Streets, Soho, Theatreland, Chinatown, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Edgware Road attract over 15 million tourists every year.

The West End offers…

• 40 theatres that contribute around £1 billion to the UK economy every year
• 100 million shopping visits every year
• More retail space than Paris or Rome, with 120 international and 95 flagship stores
• 285,000 jobs with over 13,000 in the entertainment industry

Westminster City Council manages the West End, ensuring it is a safe and attractive area for residents and visitors. To help secure the West End’s future as a world-class location, the council is also leading an ambitious programme of improvements.

Click on the links to the left to find out more about the West End today, the council’s vision for its future and how to make most of your time in one of the UK’s most thriving destinations.