Shaftesbury works with Camden Council to pedestrianise Seven Dials to help retailers, restaurants, bars and cafés as they reopen

Shaftesbury has revealed plans to implement temporary timed road closures in Seven Dials from August 3, as part of a programme of initiatives to support tenants, welcome back the community and inspire Londoners to safely and responsibly return to the iconic village in the heart of London’s West End.

Working in partnership with Camden Council, Shaftesbury will use a series of timed road closures to put pedestrians and cyclists first during core daytime trading hours for F&B operators and retailers.  The timed closures will operate from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week, and will be controlled by a combination of droppable and/or plug-in barriers and the Seven Dials security team.

 In addition to the road closures, Shaftesbury is implementing a one-way system for pedestrians visiting Neal’s Yard and installing additional cycle parking throughout the estate.  The plans will be implemented in July following the re-opening of restaurants, bars and cafés.  Shaftesbury is also in discussion with Camden to allow F&B operators to utilise Seven Dials’ newly pedestrianised streets to provide additional external seating areas.

 Charles Owen, Portfolio Executive at Shaftesbury, commented: “The timed road closures in Seven Dials are a significant step in helping all our restaurants, bars, cafés and retailers rebuild as the lockdown eases and footfall begins to grow.  The combination of open-air streets and, in effect, wider footways, will make Seven Dials an even safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors and residents.

 “We have worked closely with Camden Council to devise the plans, which received very strong support from members and officers.  While the Camden community, its businesses and residents are facing challenges, working together like this will help ensure everyone thrives once again.”

 Alex Hely-Hutchinson, the founder of 26 Grains, commented on the plans: “From the outset, Shaftesbury has understood the issues we face and shown welcome flexibility, integrity and creativity in ensuring we can re-open as easily as possible.  A traffic-free Seven Dials will make the world of difference, providing all visitors with additional reassurance they can safely enjoy one of London’s best collections of independent brands, right in the heart of the West End.

 “We also support Shaftesbury’s proposals to provide additional seating, and welcome their proactivity in doing all they can to help businesses.”

 As part of this initiative, Shaftesbury is working in collaboration with an artist to add vibrancy to the traffic-free streets with a series of bold and bright works located throughout Seven Dials. Shaftesbury is also providing additional internal and external space for Seven Dials’ tenants to utilise over the next few months 

 The news follows the announcement Shaftesbury is moving to monthly rents across its portfolio, while many of Seven Dials’ shops, restaurants, cafes and bars have begun reopening their doors.

www.sevendials.co.uk

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