Battle commences in London's West End as retailers looked to grab their share of £1 billion

Nov. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- LONDON’S MAYOR AND BRITAIN’S TOP RETAILERS LAUNCH HUNT FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLLING CAROLS

Charity choir of carollers called Carol will open American Express Shop West End traffic-free VIP Weekend with London’s Longest Christmas Carol-A-Thon  

London’s Mayor and leading UK retail bosses came together on the steps of All Souls Church on Regent Street today to lead the search for Christmas carollers called Carol to kick off a 30 hour charity Christmas Carol-A-Thon.  Running across American Express Shop West End VIP Weekend on 10 and 11 December, which will see Oxford Street and Regent Street closed to traffic, the West End Christmas Carol-A-Thon aims to raise money and awareness for charity partner, Kids Company, in support of vulnerable inner-city London children this Christmas.  

To mark the launch, London’s Mayor Boris Johnson joined the UK’s top retailers for early morning choir practice on the steps of All Souls Church on Regent Street.  Leading the way with a unique take on the traditional carol – “We Wish You a West End Christmas” – the musical call to action aims to encourage shoppers, visitors and seasoned singers alike to lend their voices for a shift in the charity Christmas Carol-A-Thon.  

London’s Mayor was joined by:   Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Chairman of New West End Company; Mark Roper, Vice President & General Manager UK Merchant Services for American Express; Camila Batmanghelidgh, founder of Kids Company; Harold Tillman, Owner of Jaeger and Aquascutum and Chair of the British Fashion Council; Paul Kelly, Chairman of Selfridges, Steve Rowe, Director of Retail, Marks and Spencer and Simon Roberts, Chief Operating Officer of Boots.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "The VIP Weekend is now a well established, much heralded date in the seasonal shopping calendar and a great way to celebrate the best the West End has to offer in the run up to Christmas. I have no doubt that the Christmas Carol-A-Thon will be a fantastic success and raise buckets of cash to help give a proper festive celebration to the children who need it most."

From 11am-6pm on 10 December and 12noon-5pm on 11 December, the streets of London’s West End will be given back to the public for a traditional, magical Christmas celebration with Oxford Street and Regent Street completely traffic-free.  There will be live music and performances all over the streets to drive festive fundraising.  American Express will give double rewards to cardmembers and £1 to Kids Company every time an American Express Card is used in the West End over the weekend.1

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Chairman of New West End Company said at the launch, “Shop West End VIP Weekend is a world-renowned event and we are expecting even more shoppers this year.  What’s fantastic about this year’s event is that it will not only give back to shoppers but will also raise significant amounts for a very deserving charity.  I can guarantee every visitor across the weekend will experience the very best of London’s West End this December.”

Mark Roper, Vice President & General Manager UK Merchant Services for American Express says, “This year, more than ever, Shop West End VIP Weekend is all about giving. We’re giving shoppers the West End traffic-free, double points to cardmembers and a £1 to Kids Company every time an American Express Card is used over the weekend. So come along, have a great day out while shopping with your family, and help us raise money to give some very deserving kids a special Christmas.”

Camila Batmanghelidgh, Founder of Kids Company adds, “This is a fantastic event and we are very excited about delivering a magical Christmas for our children as a result of the fundraising activity over American Express Shop West End VIP Weekend.  We’re proud to be adding our voices to the mix for the West End Christmas Carol-A-Thon with our Kids Company choir and would urge everyone with a sense of fun and a willing voice to sign up and get involved this Christmas."

To sign up to take part in the West End Christmas Carol-A-Thon, which will be London’s longest marathon singing session, email carolathon@newwestend.com

Further information on American Express Shop West End VIP Weekend
www.westendvip.com/weekend

                                                                                               ENDS

Notes to Editors

1.   American Express will donate up to a maximum of £50,000 to Kids Company. Only UK Cardmembers are eligible for double rewards. For full details and terms and conditions visit westendlondon.com.

More Information on New West End Company:
New West End Company is a company dedicated to driving forward London’s West End as the world’s top shopping destination. It is supported and run by major retailers and property owners in Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street.

New West End Company ensures the ongoing commercial success of the area by promoting the district, delivering street management services and funding public realm projects to improve the shopping environment.  It is a leading partner in the biggest regeneration programme of London’s West End in its history.  Find out more at www.newwestend.com

200 million visitors travel into the West End each year.  Of these visitors 25% are from overseas and a further 21% are from outside of London.

Oxford Street was named best destination in the Visit London awards 2007 & 2008.

London’s West End is the world’s top shopping destination, with a world-class mix of 600 shops, 40 renowned theatres, 30 museums and galleries, 17 Michelin star restaurants and 7 tranquil green spaces