London’s West End stores still showing Christmas displays ahead of April 12 reopening

Major West End stores across London stand frozen in time with festive window displays as staff count down to reopening on April 12.

Tier 4 level restrictions forced non-essential retailers across the capital to close on December 20 – with many failing to take down their Christmas lights following the announcement. That closure was then extended when, on January 4, Boris Johnson announced England was going into a third lockdown.

Spring starts on March 20, but Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of Covid-19 measures, which was announced last week, stated shops will not open until April 12 at the earliest.

Figures released last month showed retail sales had slumped by 45% compared to February 2020, but businesses are starting to plan ahead for when they can reopen. 

A spokeswoman for the New West End Company, which represents businesses on Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and Mayfair, said retailers are looking forward to the year ahead and a festive shopping season ‘where their decorations and displays won’t go to waste’.

She said: ‘The West End’s frozen window displays are a symptom of the stop-start lockdowns, and sunk costs that will take a long time to recover from.

‘With six weeks to go and new support measures announced this week by the Chancellor, central London businesses can start to plan ahead with more confidence as they look toward the irreversible reopening of stores, reviving their displays and giving their customers a much-needed post-lockdown mood lift.

‘We hope that in a matter of months retailers can once again look forward to a profitable Christmas where their decorations and displays won’t go to waste.’

Christmas decorations still line King’s Road in London – despite spring being less than two weeks away. Stores across the capital were forced to close on December 20 as Tier 4 level restrictions closed all non-essential retailers 

Tier 4 level closures were compounded at the start of January when Boris Johnson announced England's third national lockdown. Retailers in London didn't have a chance to take down their festive displays, including stores along Regent Street

Tier 4 level closures were compounded at the start of January when Boris Johnson announced England’s third national lockdown. Retailers in London didn’t have a chance to take down their festive displays, including stores along Regent Street

Kiehl's skincare shop in Regent Street still has Christmas presents sitting in the window and holly patterns on its doors. The New West End Company, which represents some of London's biggest shopping spots, said the frozen displays were a 'symptom of stop-start lockdowns'

Kiehl’s skincare shop in Regent Street still has Christmas presents sitting in the window and holly patterns on its doors. The New West End Company, which represents some of London’s biggest shopping spots, said the frozen displays were a ‘symptom of stop-start lockdowns’

Restaurants in Horseshoe Yard have also left their festively-decorated entrances outside, after being closed for more than two months. Should Covid-19 infection rates continue to fall, restaurants and pub gardens will be able to reopen on April 12, provided they only serve food outdoors

Restaurants in Horseshoe Yard have also left their festively-decorated entrances outside, after being closed for more than two months. Should Covid-19 infection rates continue to fall, restaurants and pub gardens will be able to reopen on April 12, provided they only serve food outdoors

Festive displays left to gather dust in Regent Street represent 'sunk costs that will take a long time to recover from,' according to the New West End Company

Festive displays left to gather dust in Regent Street represent ‘sunk costs that will take a long time to recover from,’ according to the New West End Company

Winter fashion is still on display in shopfronts, while reindeer and baubles line the windows of a shop in Oxford Street today 

Signs outside shops in Oxford Street offer advice for social distancing, but with customers unable to step inside since last year, the festive displays have been left frozen in time. The New West End Company said retailers 'look forward to a profitable Christmas where their decorations and displays won't go to waste'

Signs outside shops in Oxford Street offer advice for social distancing, but with customers unable to step inside since last year, the festive displays have been left frozen in time. The New West End Company said retailers ‘look forward to a profitable Christmas where their decorations and displays won’t go to waste’

Christmas decorations should traditionally be taken down within 12 days of December 25, but festive trees still Kingly Street in London as venues were forced to close

Christmas decorations should traditionally be taken down within 12 days of December 25, but festive trees still Kingly Street in London as venues were forced to close

Hastily written message still hang in the doorways of of a bar and restaurant in Kingly Street wishing customers a merry Christmas. By the time it reopens, Easter will have taken place

Hastily written message still hang in the doorways of of a bar and restaurant in Kingly Street wishing customers a merry Christmas. By the time it reopens, Easter will have taken place

By the time they reopen, stores along Regent Street will be selling their spring collection, and will be keeping their fingers' crossed for a summer spending spree

By the time they reopen, stores along Regent Street will be selling their spring collection, and will be keeping their fingers’ crossed for a summer spending spree

Festively-coloured presents have also been left on display at a shop in Carnaby Street, as businesses start to plan ahead for reopening in just over a month's time

Festively-coloured presents have also been left on display at a shop in Carnaby Street, as businesses start to plan ahead for reopening in just over a month’s time

Figures released last month showed retail sales had slumped by 45% compared to February 2020. With lockdown having a huge impact on the retail industry, shops on Regent Street held huge sales to encourages visitors in the run-up to Christmas

Figures released last month showed retail sales had slumped by 45% compared to February 2020. With lockdown having a huge impact on the retail industry, shops on Regent Street held huge sales to encourages visitors in the run-up to Christmas

Shops across London's West End were affected by the closure, including along King's Road - where signs still show Christmas promotions

Shops across London’s West End were affected by the closure, including along King’s Road – where signs still show Christmas promotions

This shop on South Molton Street is promoting its range of winter clothes, but by the time it reopens, spring will have been underway for more than a fortnight

This shop on South Molton Street is promoting its range of winter clothes, but by the time it reopens, spring will have been underway for more than a fortnight 

Signs along the King's Road wish passers-by happy holidays, with a snow covered-Paris. Since then London has started to emerge from winter, with hopes that life could return to normal by June 21

Signs along the King’s Road wish passers-by happy holidays, with a snow covered-Paris. Since then London has started to emerge from winter, with hopes that life could return to normal by June 21

Christmas trees and lights adorn shopfronts in Regent Street, but there have been no staff or customers inside for months

Christmas trees and lights adorn shopfronts in Regent Street, but there have been no staff or customers inside for months 

Shopfronts have started to look bare in Bond Street, as New West End Company said: ''With six weeks to go and new support measures announced this week by the Chancellor, Central London businesses can start to plan ahead with more confidence'

Shopfronts have started to look bare in Bond Street, as New West End Company said: ”With six weeks to go and new support measures announced this week by the Chancellor, Central London businesses can start to plan ahead with more confidence’

Cones and signage have blocked off displays encouraging shoppers to 'celebrate the Christmas season,' along Brook Street

Cones and signage have blocked off displays encouraging shoppers to ‘celebrate the Christmas season,’ along Brook Street 

Staff may be able to take down the Christmas displays, which have been frozen in time along South Molton Street since December 20, when stores reopen next month

Staff may be able to take down the Christmas displays, which have been frozen in time along South Molton Street since December 20, when stores reopen next month

Christmas signage was still on display in South Molton Street, London, on Tuesday, a week after Boris Johnson announced non-essential retailers would have to wait until April 12 at the earliest to reopen

Christmas signage was still on display in South Molton Street, London, on Tuesday, a week after Boris Johnson announced non-essential retailers would have to wait until April 12 at the earliest to reopen