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CRAIG DAVID LIGHTS UP OXFORD STREET WITH THE VAMPS, LOUISA JOHNSON AND THE MAYOR OF LONDON SADIQ KHAN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NSPCC LITTLE STARS CAMPAIGN 1 million families came to the West End today to celebrate the start of the Christmas season as Oxford Street switched on its World Famous Lights Sunday 6th November The countdown to Christmas has officially started, as Grammy-nominated British singer Craig David joined the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to switch on the spectacular Oxford Street Christmas Lights. Marking the start of London’s festive shopping season, 1 million families came to the West End as the world famous street launched its’ first Family Festival. The event; broadcast and seen by millions around the globe was hosted by Capital – the UK’s number one hit music brand and launched in partnership with children’s charity the NSPCC. UK superstar Craig David took to the stage for the 57th annual switch-on moment, illuminating Oxford Street in a very special event. For the first time in Oxford Street’s history, the iconic destination partnered with a charity for its world famous Christmas lights display. Joining forces with toy brand Hasbro, the NSPCC launched its Little Stars campaign, by asking members of the public across the country to donate a suggested £5 to name one of Oxford Street’s world famous lights for someone special in their life. All money raised goes to the NSPCC’s life-changing services that help keep children safe. Over the next six weeks Oxford Street and the West End, are set to take over £2billion through the tills; a rise of 1.6% year-on-year, with both international and UK visitors set to get into the festive spirit for their Christmas shopping. Craig David commented: "It's a great honour to be switching on the lights and lighting up Oxford Street. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and an incredible 2017." The iconic Oxford Street Lights Switch On show excited and entertained shoppers from start to finish, with a stellar line up of live performances from some of the UK’s hottest acts including The Vamps and last year’s X Factor winner Louisa Johnson. The event was hosted by Capital’s Will Manning and Aimee Vivian. For the first time in four years the length of Oxford Street was closed to traffic to host a magical, fun-filled Family Festival in partnership with the NSPCC, celebrating and welcoming children of all ages driving families to Oxford Street. With a full day of entertainment in the hours leading up to the Switch On, families and visitors were able to enjoy the ultimate Christmas shopping day out with a host of interactive activities along the street from pop-up areas featuring balloon making, craft workshops and face painting to augmented reality photo booths and an interactive Grotto. Toy brand Hasbro invited children to climb aboard the My Little Pony bus, complete with photo booth, colouring station and face painting, the Transformer’s Optimus Prime truck and Bumblebee car, before trying their luck on a life size Monopoly board, complete with a giant dice. Oxford Street’s stores joined in with the festivities with a series of indoor and outdoor activities and one-day only offers for kids big and small. The day’s events were supported by Westminster City Council with Cllr Steve Summers, Lord Mayor of Westminster attending the switch-on event. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We’ve seen a dazzling show and the lights look fantastic. The iconic Christmas display on Oxford Street in London’s West End attracts thousands of visitors to our great city every year. It shows that London truly is open for business.” Jace Tyrrell, CEO of New West End Company, the event organisers, says: “This year’s Oxford Street Christmas Lights event with NSPCC has been a great success, with 1 million families coming to the West End to see the Oxford Street Christmas Lights. We hope it will kick start Christmas trade for the West End, which is predicted to reach over £2bn over the festive period.” Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC said: “We are delighted to be partner for this fantastic event with our Little Stars campaign. Anyone can get involved by making a donation and naming one of Oxford Street’s famous lights for someone special. Each donation and each light will help us keep children safe from abuse, so they’re free to dream at Christmas, and all year around.” Louisa Johnson says: “It was so exciting to be involved in the Oxford Street Christmas Lights switch-on today. The lights are such an iconic part of London’s Christmas celebrations and to perform here is amazing!” The Vamps says: “It was a real thrill to perform as part of the Oxford Street Christmas Lights switch on celebrations this year! We’ve had a fantastic day and the atmosphere was brilliant.” Capital’s Will Manning says: “Aimee and I have had a fantastic day hosting the Oxford Street Christmas Lights Switch-On. With incredible performances by The Vamps and Louisa Johnson, London’s Christmas party is now well and truly started!”.” Capital’s Aimee Vivian says: “There was the most amazing atmosphere here today, and when Craig David switched on the lights and illuminated Oxford Street it was a really special moment.” Bond Street will be illuminating their festive lighting display this Thursday 10 November from 5pm. Regent Street will switch-on a dazzling new scheme on Thursday 17 November with a traffic-free event which is supported by The Crown Estate and Regent Street Association. Find out more at www.oxfordstreet.co.uk Join the conversation on @oxfordstreetW1 #OXSTStars To donate and name a light on Oxford Street, go to nspcc.org.uk/littlestars Notes to Editors Oxford Street Fact Box + Oxford Street’s world-famous retailers will be offering customers exclusive offers and discounts on 6th November to coincide with the switch-on. + Oxford Street will be traffic-free only on Sunday 6 November from 12pm – 7pm. + Oxford Street Christmas Lights include 1,778 baubles and 750,000 LED bulbs, that use 75% less energy than conventional bulbs. + Oxford Street is Europe’s longest shopping street, 3 miles of shopping with over 4.27 million sq ft of retail space, running from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road and serviced by four tube stations: Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road + Oxford Street plays host to 88 flagship stores. + World-renowned stars have switched on the Oxford Street Christmas Lights, including Kylie Minogue, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Jessie J, Robbie Williams, Westlife, Leona Lewis, The Saturdays and The Spice Girls, kick-starting the festive shopping season in the capital’s retail mecca. About New West End Company New West End Company is a leading business voice for London’s West End, representing the people and more than 600 organisations behind the world’s largest retail destination. It delivers management and marketing services to 25 streets within London’s retail heartland including Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street. It aims to drive the change to create a truly unique West End experience, unlock barriers for economic growth and further strengthen the commercial success of the area and its contribution to UK GDP. www.newwestend.com @OXST About the NSPCC The NSPCC is the only children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. Using voluntary donations, which make up more than 90 per cent of our funding, we help children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, we protect children at risk, and we find the best ways of preventing child abuse from ever happening. So when a child needs a helping hand, we’ll be there. When parents are finding it tough, we’ll help. When laws need to change, or governments need to do more, we won’t give up until things improve. Our Childline service provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk Our free helpline provides adults with a place they can get advice and support, share their concerns about a child or get general information about child protection. Adults can contact the helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0808 800 5000, by texting 88858 or visiting www.nspcc.org.uk The NSPCC Little Stars site was produced by global experience design agency Beyond NSPCC media office 020 3772 9722. Email [email protected] nspcc.org.uk/littlestars About Hasbro Hasbro is a global company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY- DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and consumer products licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company's Hasbro Studios and its film label, ALLSPARK PICTURES, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

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