Retailers in London’s West End are anticipating a £2.34 billion sales boost over the Christmas period, starting this Sunday when the Christmas lights are switched on.

Forecasts by the New West End Company’s annual Christmas tracker report indicate that till receipts will rise 1.6%, with shoppers spending £5.1 million per hour during the peak Christmas period.

The New West End Company said in a statement: “A strong Christmas will enable the West End to continue to provide much-needed stimulus to the UK economy in light of Brexit uncertainty, and is forecast to contribute £5.4billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) over the season.”

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive, said: “We’re looking forward to a buoyant festive season – cheered on by foreign spend and a steady uplift in domestic confidence.

“However the New Year will ring in numerous challenges for our retail heartland and we will need full support from the Government on critical issues such as business rates to ensure we can continue to strengthen the UK economy as Article 50 is triggered, and we enter two years of uncertainty as negotiations to leave the EU begin.”

The Oxford Street Christmas lights are due to be switched on this Sunday, with Craig David doing the honours. This year the lights have a charity partner, the NSPCC. To celebrate the launch of its Little Stars campaign, the charity asks Londoners to donate £5 to dedicate one of the star-shaped lights to a loved one. For the first time ever the switch-on event on Sunday November 6th will see Oxford Street closed to traffic (12pm-7pm), with special offers available in many of the shops.