Ikea Backs Traffic-Free Oxford Street to Serve New London Store
Swedish furniture maker Ikea is backing Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's contentious plan to reserve Oxford Street for pedestrians, as the retail giant opens a store in one of the UK capital's most popular shopping districts.
'The idea of pedestrianization, that is going to help shoppers move around here,' Peter Jelkeby, chief executive officer of Ikea UK, said in an interview at the new store ahead of its opening on May 1. 'You're going to get a different pace. When a high street works well, you can slow down, you get space, you hopefully get an environment you actually want to be in — it's safe.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business Upturn
Redwing Acquires Assets of Swedish Drone Delivery Startup Aerit, Adding European Entry and ML-Based Flight Routing Capabilities
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India: Redwing, a leading provider of drone-based instant logistics solutions from India, today announced the strategic acquisition of the assets of Aerit, a Swedish drone delivery startup recognized for its advanced autonomous delivery technology for suburban homes. This asset acquisition significantly strengthens Redwing's position in Europe, accelerating its expansion efforts in one of the world's fastest-growing drone logistics markets. Aerit had successfully collaborated with Foodora in 2024, with EASA's SAIL II permits for Sweden operations for delivering food from retailers to consumers. Built by a talented team of engineers from Spotify, Scania Group & PhDs, it was the 1st company to complete commercial food drone delivery in Sweden. The integration of Aerit's state-of-the-art autonomous flight technology 'Stewie' and operational know-how significantly enhances Redwing's technological portfolio. This move allows Redwing to rapidly develop and deploy advanced drones tailored specifically to the complex and evolving needs of the logistics sector. Aerit's drone systems are acclaimed for their safety, reliability, and operational efficiency, attributes critical to achieving scalable drone operations and commercial viability. This acquisition underscores Redwing's commitment to driving innovation and achieving leadership in the BVLOS drone logistics industry. With a proven track record of more than 300,000 kilometers of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights, Redwing has consistently demonstrated the capability and readiness of its autonomous drone platform in demanding scenarios such as drone logistics in rain, hilly terrains & coastal winds. By integrating Aerit's expertise, Redwing further solidifies its ability to deliver comprehensive, highly reliable drone-based solutions that meet stringent European regulatory requirements. 'The acquisition of Aerit is a pivotal step for Redwing, expanding the BVLOS portfolio & improving ML-based flight routing capabilities alongside EASA regulatory headway,' said Anshul Sharma, co-founder of Redwing. 'By combining Aerit's innovative technology and European market presence with Redwing's deep expertise in scalable, autonomous drone logistics, we are excited to complete this acquisition process.' About REDWING Advertisement Redwing is a multi-use BVLOS drone company based out of Bangalore. They design, build and operate drones with Beyond Visual Line of Sight Capability (BVLOS) that are designed to travel long distances reliably for logistics & other applications. Redwing team has received 12 awards combined in the US and Asia-Pacific by industry giants such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Airbus through collegiate competitions and is Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. Website: Click here for Media Contact Details Submit your press release Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Jet-Set CEO's $3M Koenigsegg Jesko Ticketed in London While Dining Nearby
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector A £2.2 million Koenigsegg Jesko hypercar, owned by private jet mogul Ameerh Naran, was slapped with a parking ticket this week after being left on a Kensington street while its owner dined nearby. Naran, the CEO of luxury aviation brokerage Vimana Private Jets, parked the ultra-rare Swedish hypercar on Derry Street, just outside the trendy Dishoom restaurant in West London. Moments later, a Kensington and Chelsea traffic warden issued a bright yellow parking charge notice (PCN), placing it squarely on the carbon-fiber bonnet of the car—an image quickly shared online. With a fine of up to £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within two weeks), the penalty is a small price to pay compared to the Jesko's jaw-dropping $3 million valuation. Powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8, the Jesko produces 1,280 horsepower on standard fuel—or up to 1,600 hp on E85—and is capable of reaching 62 mph in under three seconds. According to his Instagram posts, Naran, 39, was enjoying lunch at the nearby Rooftop Gardens while the parking incident unfolded. Originally from Zimbabwe, the entrepreneur built his jet charter empire after studying automotive design, and later launched his own hypercar company, Naran Automotive. Despite his aviation focus, cars have remained central to Naran's identity. A former aspiring racing driver, he once told Forbes that he dreamed of building supercars since childhood. His clients—ranging from royals to ultra-high-net-worth individuals—spend up to $1 million a month on private travel, and often shop at elite brands like Harrods, Ferrara Diamonds, and Asprey London. This isn't the first luxury car to run afoul of Derry Street's strict parking rules. Comedian Michael McIntyre had his £195,000 Mercedes-AMG GT R towed from the same location in May after parking in a police-only zone. In a city where even multi-million-dollar cars can't escape traffic enforcement, it seems not even the most elite wheels are above the rules. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
London mayor urged to raise SUV parking fees
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has been urged to seek to increase taxes and parking fees for SUVs. London Assembly Members agreed a motion calling on him to take action over fears the increasing size of cars is damaging roads, causing congestion and putting other road users at greater risk of death and serious injury. The assembly called on Sir Sadiq to ask the Treasury to amend vehicle excise duty to include a tax based on vehicle weight. It also wants the mayor to ask councils in the capital to consider charging more for parking larger cars, and to call on the Department for Transport to introduce stricter limits on the size and bonnet height of passenger vehicles. The motion was agreed by 14 votes in favour and eight against. SUVs have become more popular in recent years, with many drivers preferring the higher seating position. TfL now has 2,000 zero-emission buses in London The bright yellow buggies on the streets of Fulham Anger after SUVs have tyres deflated by activists They accounted for a third of all new car registrations in the UK last year, compared with 12% a decade earlier. SUVs are generally taller, wider and heavier than traditional cars, and less fuel-efficient. The size increase has been dubbed "carspreading". Labour London Assembly Member Elly Baker, who proposed the motion, said the capital's streets "weren't designed for larger vehicles like SUVs". She added: "Their greater size, weight, and higher bonnets put vulnerable road users at greater risk, reduce available parking spaces, and cause more wear and tear on our roads. "It's time we took sensible steps to manage the impact of oversized cars and ensure our streets remain safe and accessible." AA president Edmund King insisted it was "up to Londoners to choose the type of vehicle that best fulfils their needs". He said: "It is not really the role of the London Assembly to dictate what cars individuals should drive. "Some larger families may well need bigger vehicles with more passenger seats, whereas a driver conducting most trips alone may well choose a city car. "London's streets were developed around the horse and cart, so of course our infrastructure needs modernising to keep up with change." A recent study found pedestrians and cyclists are 44% more likely to die if they are hit by an SUV or similar-sized vehicle rather than a traditional car. The analysis by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London stated the figure rises to 82% for children. A Mayor of London spokesman said: "The mayor, Transport for London and borough partners are working to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads, by expanding the cycle network, making road crossings and junctions safer, reducing speed limits on our roads, and making larger vehicles like HGVs and buses safer. "This year the mayor will be refreshing his Vision Zero action plan to restate his commitment to reducing road danger and responding to new and emerging risks on our roads." The Treasury has been approached for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Should you pay more for parking if you have a big car? End to discounts for zero-emission vehicles Should you pay more for parking if you have a big car? London Assembly
