Pocket Planet’s Innovative Attraction Brings New Hope to Oxford Street Revival
In a significant stride towards reinvigorating London’s iconic Oxford Street, leisure experience developer Pocket Planet is set to draw one million visitors to this prime shopping destination.
Pocket Planet’s groundbreaking concept, a «miniature indoor world,» is poised to transform the former New Look store situated between Bond Street and Marble Arch. Spanning an impressive 30,000 sq ft, this attraction is poised to become the largest of its kind in the UK, with a highly anticipated opening scheduled for the coming year.
While this innovative addition may shift the street’s focus away from traditional retail, it holds the promise of substantially increasing foot traffic to the surrounding retailers, thanks to its broad appeal.
The «experimental» space will showcase intricate models of renowned UK landmarks, referred to as «miniverses.» Visitors can look forward to dynamic displays featuring moving planes, trains, vehicles, and boats. Additionally, the development will include a retail space and a café slated to open its doors in the spring of 2024.
Pocket Planet’s CEO, Mark Vlassopulos, expressed his excitement, describing the space as «extraordinary» and emphasizing its location as a prominent tourism hotspot within the UK.
COO Mark Brodermann highlighted their commitment to excellence, stating, «Over the past five years, we’ve closely studied the world’s leading miniature attractions, such as Small Worlds in Tokyo and Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg. While these are all exceptional, Pocket Planet aims to elevate the experience to the next level. Our team comprises the best in leisure interior design and some of the world’s most skilled modelers.»
In the aftermath of the pandemic, experiences have become a pivotal feature in retail areas, serving as magnets for shoppers and filling the void left by the closure or downsizing of numerous retailers.
In parallel, Oxford Street is poised to receive additional retail funding, further accelerating its ongoing revitalization. A substantial investment of up to £100 million is anticipated to flow into this iconic shopping street by year-end.
Westminster City Council launched an ambitious £10 million scheme in July, aiming to transform Oxford Street’s landscape. The initiative seeks to replace traditional «candy stores» with emerging businesses offering discounted rents and business rates, breathing fresh life into the area.
