Oxford Street candy shop to become food court

Oxford Street is to get a new food court after Westminster City Council approved plans to convert one of the area’s infamous candy shops. Medra Group will now redevelop 522-533 Oxford Street, W1, with space for 19 food stalls across two floors. The food court will have seating for about 75 customers and operate from 7am to 11pm. Recommending approval of the plans, council officers said: “Oxford Street is the UK’s premier shopping street, in which changes in the retail sector have been felt. Proposals should provide a more attractive shopping environment and user experience. “The loss of retail and the provision of a food court at this ground and mezzanine unit would maintain an active frontage and provide a use serving visiting members of the public in accordance with City Plan policy. The food and beverage offer would provide a recognised complementary town centre use which potentially increases customer dwell time supporting the retail offer of Oxford Street.” Objections were received from a neighbouring resident and from the nearby Marriott Hotel, arguing that the food court’s takeaway facility would harm the character of the area. “Oxford Street has extremely high pedestrian movements,” council officers said. “In the light of this, use of the premises as food court would not result in a discernible increase in pedestrian activity and would not result in noise disturbance to the occupants of neighbouring properties.” Westminster has been eager to stamp out what its leader has called a “plague” of souvenir and candy shops along Oxford Street.  Image by Alex Lentati/LNP/Shutterstock