Battersea Power Station experienced its most successful festive season to date, with sales increasing by 13.4% in November and December 2024 and footfall growing by 11% compared to the same period in 2023. This record-breaking Christmas trading period capped off a strong year for the riverside neighbourhood, which welcomed over 26 million visitors since its grand opening in October 2022.
The festive boost was highlighted by a visit from His Majesty King Charles III on 12th December, which was closely followed by the busiest sales week of the year, from 16th–22nd December 2024. This milestone underscores Battersea Power Station’s growing reputation as one of London’s premier shopping, leisure, and cultural destinations.
Retail Success and Festive Indulgences
Fashion led the way in festive sales growth, recording an 11.7% increase year-on-year in November and December. Jewellery and accessories also performed strongly, with sales rising by 13.3%, while beauty transactions saw an 11.2% increase. These figures highlight shoppers’ enthusiasm for high-quality gifts during the holiday season.
Demonstrating the indulgent spirit of the festivities, Vagabond Wines sold over 1,304 cheese fondues in December, while Wright Brothers shucked 300,000 oysters and El Pastor served 80,583 tacos over the course of the year. The diverse food and beverage offerings have become a major draw, appealing to both local visitors and international tourists alike.
Events Driving Visitor Engagement
Battersea Power Station’s packed events calendar played a key role in attracting visitors during the festive season. Highlights included Boots presents Glide at Battersea Power Station, the capital’s only riverside ice rink, which proved a hit with families and groups. The Santa’s School for Elves experience welcomed 3,958 children, while Christmas markets by The King’s Trust, Salad Days, and Curated Makers brought together independent brands within the historic turbine halls.
Visitors also enjoyed large-scale collaborations such as the Wallace & Gromit Christmas animation, which saw the beloved duo decorate festive trees on the Power Station’s iconic chimneys 1,992 times between 1st–25th December.
In total, more than 25 major events and over 100 brand activations took place throughout 2024, helping to cement Battersea Power Station’s reputation as a cultural hub. The highest week for footfall across the year occurred from 29th July–4th August during summer events such as The Battersea Games and the Paris 2024 Team GB and ParalympicsGB Fanzones.
A Diverse and Growing Retail and Leisure Offering
Battersea Power Station continues to expand its retail and leisure options, with 19 new openings in 2024 alone, including El Pastor, M&S’s first standalone clothing store, Sticks ’n’ Sushi, and Blank Street Coffee. These additions further enhance the destination’s appeal, offering something for everyone.
Looking ahead, a number of British and international brands are set to open in early 2025, including children’s clothing retailer Lindex, On Running, R.W. Wolf barbers, Diptyque, Heartcore Pilates, Salomon, and The Salad Project. The much-anticipated NEON at Battersea Power Station, Central London’s first-ever purpose-built entertainment and cultural exhibition space, will open in Spring 2025.
Continuing Cultural and Regeneration Efforts
As part of its ongoing cultural programming, Battersea Power Station will host its annual Light Festival from 23rd January–23rd February 2025. The neighbourhood will also celebrate Wandsworth being named the London Borough of Culture, with a series of art and cultural activations planned throughout the year.
Sam Cotton, Head of Leasing and Asset Management at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), commented on the area’s success and future plans:
“The extremely strong Christmas trading period we enjoyed at the end of last year underlines Battersea Power Station’s increasingly established position as one of London’s must-visit shopping and leisure destinations.
“We have worked hard to create a mix of brands, food and beverage offerings, and activations that appeal to everyone, and this is reflected in the double-digit growth in both sales and visitor numbers during the 2024 festive period.
“As we look to 2025, we have an exciting line-up of new openings and events such as our Light Festival, the return of celebrASIA, and further cultural activations to celebrate Wandsworth being this year’s London Borough of Culture. At the same time, we will continue to look forward and plan for the development of the future phases of this fantastic regeneration project, with half of the 42-acre site still to develop. Battersea Power Station will continue to offer a unique blend of culture, community spirit, and world-class shopping and leisure experiences, which will attract visitors from London and from further afield.”
