Updated October 2026 · Fraser Bond
Commercial · Central London retail
Finding a shop in central London
The main retail areas
The UK's busiest shopping streets. Much of Regent Street is owned by The Crown Estate. Best for national and international brands with high sales.
Covent Garden and Carnaby are largely owned by Shaftesbury Capital, with a curated mix of fashion, beauty, food and drink. Seven Dials and Neal Street suit independent brands.
Marylebone High Street is mainly owned by the Howard de Walden Estate and known for independent shops, cafés and wellness brands.
Bond Street for luxury; Grosvenor in Mayfair and The Crown Estate in St James's own large parts of these areas, alongside historic arcades.
Sloane Street and Duke of York Square on the Cadogan estate, plus the King's Road and Brompton Road. Strong for fashion and lifestyle.
Weekday trade from office workers around Leadenhall Market, Cheapside and Liverpool Street. Strong for food, coffee and convenience.
Zone A rent calculator
Shops are often valued by splitting the floor into 20-foot zones from the front. Zone A counts in full, Zone B at half, Zone C at a quarter and the rest at an eighth.
A simplified "halving back" method for ground-floor sales space. Basements, upper floors and storage are valued separately. Zone A rates vary hugely by street.
Before you sign for a central London shop
Fraser Bond for retailers and owners
- Search for units, including ones not yet advertised
- Heads of terms negotiation
- Letting and managing retail units for owners
- Pop-up and short-term lets to fill voids
Frequently asked questions
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What is Zone A?
The first 20 feet of sales space behind the shop window. It carries the highest value per square foot.
Who owns the shops in Covent Garden?
Much of Covent Garden and Carnaby is owned by Shaftesbury Capital, with other private owners in between.
Are pop-up shops available in central London?
Yes. Short licences are often available, especially between longer lets.
Can Fraser Bond help me find a central London shop?
Yes. Send us your brief and we'll find suitable units.
Looking for a shop in central London?
Tell us your brand, size and budget and we'll find the right street.
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