Record numbers of people travelled to Canary Wharf in November and December, according to figures from Transport for London (TfL).
Midweek visitor numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels and midweek evening visitors (between 4pm and 6pm) are 50% higher than in the same week in 2019. On Saturday 10 December and Sunday 11 December TfL reported a 50% increase in visitors to Canary Wharf compared with the equivalent weekend in 2019.
Shobi Khan, CEO of Canary Wharf Group, said: “This data is part of an upward trend of visitor levels to Canary Wharf and aligned with increases we have seen in footfall. People are heading back to the office, and residents as well as visitors are enjoying the variety of bars, restaurants, shops and outdoor activities on the estate.
“Canary Wharf is a new neighbourhood where people can rent or buy homes, work and use world leading leisure amenities. We expect to see continued benefits with our Winter Lights festival returning in January.”
Mark Ashton-Rigby, chief operating officer at Barclays, added: “At Barclays, we are transforming our London headquarters in Canary Wharf. An environmentally sustainable, innovative and exciting place to work that supports colleague wellbeing is essential to attracting and retaining talented people, and Canary Wharf Group’s investment in the wider environment is part of creating that sought-after destination.”
Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport, said: “I’m delighted by the positive news that record numbers of people have been travelling into Canary Wharf. We’re starting to see ridership across TfL’s network increasing as more and more people return to the office and travel to make the most of the hospitality, retail and culture on offer in central London. Looking ahead, I know London’s world-class public transport network will continue to play an essential role in our recovery from the pandemic as we work to build a greener and fairer city for everyone.”
