What: Demand for new stores in central London is at record levels as the retail sector continues to recover from the pandemic.

Why is it important: While major closures on Oxford Street created big voids on the famous shopping street, they presented huge opportunities for new retailers to use up the available space.

There have been more than 1,000 requests from retailers or restaurants to find space in central London over the past year, and 177 of them were from businesses that have never had a presence in the capital before.

Although the number of empty sites increased in many areas during the pandemic the void rates they have created are expected to fall as recovery picks up.

Retail space in central London in high demand