The plans should be welcomed by those organisations involved in this prime but relatively sleepy backwater of central London.

At one time it commanded the highest office rents in the West End but with little development during the 2000s it has fallen off the radar screen as a corporate location.

While it has excellent tube links it remains cut off from the rest of the West End by the awful Piccadilly and this is a thoroughfare that must be addressed. It is to become two-way in a new scheme promoted by TFL and others but pedestrian traffic must be given greater priority than currently exists if any grand plans are to work.

On the retail scene, Jermyn Street is world famous for it’s shirt makers and draws in shoppers from Tokyo, New York and Shanghai.  And the numerous art galleries and excellent restaurants give it an eclectic feel.

Any future development must build upon this heritage  as there is an opportunity to create a retail quarter  that is unique yet complementary to London’s other great shopping heavens of Bond and Regent Streets.