London’s playground, its cultural heart, its gastronomic epicentre, its national High Street has simply not been the same without you.
Its bright lights are famous the world over. It’s also home to some of our most vibrant resident communities and best-loved neighbourhoods.
Today the great bounce back begins, as life starts to slowly return to normal, we are here to welcome the many visitors who have by choice or circumstance kept away. While common sense must remain our watchwords – if you are feeling under the weather please stay at home – for most of us it is time to look forward to a brighter new beginning.
As we raise the curtain for our latest act, you’ll find that Westminster City Council and the many business owners who give it such a buzz have been busy getting the area ready to welcome workers and visitors back.
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Landlords have been also investing in improving iconic locations across the city and Westminster City Council and partners are working hard to ensure that the West End retains its international reputation for clean and safe streets.
Westminster is acknowledged as the number one tourism destination. Home to theatreland, national institutions, monarchy and much more besides. These will always remain an amazing draw for visitors from across the world.
But we are also playing out part. Visitors can also catch Westminster Reveals, our public arts programme promoting the diverse and exciting range of entertainment, arts and culture that our City offers.
West End LIVE will return this summer showcasing the cream of Theatreland giving audiences the opportunity to enjoy a taster of the very best of what’s on stage – for free. While life was on pause, a bright new future was being plotted.
And let’s not forget those big important annual events that make the West End such an inspiring place to visit.
Just couple of weeks ago I was honoured to visit the Chinese night market, part of the City’s celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year. In December I presided over the annual Christmas tree lighting-up ceremony with the mayor of Oslo, which for many marks the start of the capital’s festive season.
Such events bring international coverage and prestige not only to the City but to the whole country. As first citizen of Westminster, it is an honour to see how we can bring all our incredible communities together
Visitors from abroad will soon be returning – and very welcome they will be too – but as we mark the end of England’s last restrictions it is to Londoners, first and foremost, that I want to address.
The West End with its clubs, bars, theatres, retail, cafes, creative industries, restaurants, and everything else is where Londoners come together.
From a first date to an historical walk, from theatre lovers to gourmands, from a big shopping trip to finding that special ingredient – the West End has it everything you need.
There’s never been a better time for Londoners to rediscover their love affair with the West End and the people who help shape it and make it such a great place to live, work, visit and play.
The West End needs you and I am sure you will realise we all need it.
Councillor Andrew Smith is Lord Mayor of Wesminster
https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/living-with-covid-restrictions-end-welcome-back-west-end-london-theatre-b984471.html
