Oxford Street pedestrianisation begins to remove low-grade candy shops

London bans traffic on Oxford Street to clear out tacky candy shops and revive retail.

London authorities are pedestrianising a nearly one-kilometer stretch of Oxford Street starting Monday to eliminate tacky candy stores and attract major brand investments. Mayor Sadiq Khan championed the transformation to restore the famous shopping destination's former retail prestige. Major retailers are responding by pouring investments into flagship stores along the corridor.

• The timelineThe vehicle ban on almost a kilometer of the famous shopping road takes effect on Monday.
• The motivationOfficials aim to clear out low-quality American sweet shops and entice major brands to establish flagship stores.