Westminster City councillors have granted approval for the Moco Museum, a significant modern art museum, to establish its third European gallery on Oxford Street. The museum will occupy a

1920s building opposite Marble Arch, with plans to feature works by renowned artists like Banksy, Tracey Emin, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, and Damien Hirst. The venue is scheduled to open its doors in 2024.

This development has been described as a "huge vote of confidence in London and the West End." The Marble Arch London BID's Chief Executive, Kay Buxton, emphasized that it represents a substantial affirmation of the West End's cultural potential.

Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, expressed his excitement about welcoming Moco to Oxford Street. He noted that the Moco Museum aligns with their vision of Oxford Street as a diverse destination that combines world-class retail with unique experiences for visitors, tourists, workers, and locals.

Originally designed for offices and shops, the Oxford Street building will now accommodate the art museum on its lower and ground floors following the change of use. The approved plans specify that the museum can accommodate a maximum of 431 visitors and will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, providing employment for approximately 45 full-time staff members.

Moco Museum currently manages two other galleries in Europe, with its Amsterdam venue opening in 2016 and its Barcelona venue in 2021. Notably, the Amsterdam location garnered praise from figures like Venus Williams for its Banksy exhibition, while Barack Obama and Steven Spielberg visited the Moco's Modern Masters show earlier this year.

In related news, a crackdown has led to a decline in the number of candy stores on Oxford Street, reducing the count from a peak of 29 to 21. Westminster Council has increased pressure on candy stores, souvenir shops, and vape shops to address the existing situation, emphasizing the need for change in the area. Photo by Stephen McKay, Wikimedia commons.