0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's the most famous shopping street in the world,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06in the heart of Britain's capital city -
0:00:06 > 0:00:11a mile and a half long, with 30 million visitors each year,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14with some of the world's most famous shops,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- biggest stars...- Kate Moss. - CHEERING
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- ..and busiest stations. - Sorry, guys, stand back for me!
0:00:21 > 0:00:24What does it take to keep it running 24 hours a day...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26It's the busiest street in the world,
0:00:26 > 0:00:27so it needs constant attention.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30- ..seven days a week?- Oi! Clear off!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33You're going to be arrested on suspicion of attempted theft.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Are you ready, London?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38A street that never sleeps.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40This sort of thing wouldn't happen anywhere else.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Oxford Street.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Coming up, rip-off gaming scams.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52It's not illegal gambling, they're actually fraud
0:00:52 > 0:00:53because it's a game you cannot win.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Police take on the scammers.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01This boy wants the most expensive shoes in the shop.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02They're £250.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Will his dad foot the bill?
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Tube staff deal with unhappy passengers.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I can't be late. That's something I can't do.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13And there's a bike race with an Olympic champion.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- Victoria Pendleton. - SHE HONKS HORN
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Oxford Street draws millions of visitors
0:01:24 > 0:01:28from the UK and across the world and to keep them coming back,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32the street is kept as clean, inviting and friendly as possible.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Part of this responsibility falls to the undercover police officers
0:01:36 > 0:01:39from West End Central Station.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41As well as chasing shoplifters and pickpockets,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44PC Paul Penrose and his team battle
0:01:44 > 0:01:47the street's other antisocial elements.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50We've got street hawkers, people who are begging,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53pedicabbers who are ripping off tourists.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57They're all there to take advantage of people's good nature
0:01:57 > 0:02:00and the amount of money that's being spent on Oxford Street.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Today, he and colleague Hatice Iper are patrolling the street,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08keeping watch for the signs of criminal behaviour.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Saturday afternoon. Very, very busy on Oxford Street.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14London's a bit of a jungle
0:02:14 > 0:02:17and on a Saturday, Oxford Street is definitely the watering hole.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Before long, Hatice spots two men looking suspicious,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25lurking outside a shop without ever going inside.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29On our side? Yeah, I've got him, yeah.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33The pair decide to follow them.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44The men come to a halt outside a Tube station
0:02:44 > 0:02:48and Paul and Hatice watch from the other side of the road.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50They just don't feel right.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Whether they're actually up to something, I don't know.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Paul's not sure what the men are up to,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59but he's got an idea it might be serious.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Then the men head off.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Making a slow walk down, so we're going to follow them.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Having spent so long watching the men,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Paul doesn't want to get too close now and get spotted.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27I think this is drugs.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31They're coming over here. Stay still.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35OK, he's met up with him.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Right, there's something going on.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41The men have met two others and swapped a bag.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46Paul's seen thieves do this before, when they exchange stolen goods.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50If they separate again, he won't be able to stop all of them,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52so he decides to make his move now.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Guys, police. Can you come here, please? Come here. And you.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Police. Can you all come and stand here for me?
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Stay calm or you're going to get handcuffed up, all right?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05I need you to stay there for me, please.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06Keep your hands out your pockets.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10If you put your hands in your pockets, I'll put you in handcuffs.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I've seen them start to exchange things between each other.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16One's then taken a bag off this gentleman on the right.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20I'm just keeping it nice and calm before I start a search.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Later, when Paul and Hatice search the men,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26they uncover something they didn't expect.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29OK, do you want to tell me what this is? Cos I know what this is.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- It's not mine.- Whoa, you stay there. Who's going to tell on their mate?
0:04:42 > 0:04:47A big growth area for retail sales at the moment is trainers.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50These humble sports shoes have never been more popular,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53with demand for fashionable brands driving sales.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58And making the most of this booming trade is JD.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04Sales at its sports fashion shops rose 13% last year,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07with its 350 branches across the UK
0:05:07 > 0:05:10selling a whopping ten million pairs of trainers.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14And at their Oxford Street store this morning,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17branch manager Donna is preparing her staff -
0:05:17 > 0:05:21at the start of their eight-hour shift - to sell even more.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24People are on Oxford Street, they're looking for bargains,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26and it's up to us to sell them.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29They're starting their seasonal sale
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and Donna's hoping to see the trainers fly off the shelves.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Stuart, you're going to be working in the stockroom today,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39so you're going to be running orders, so...RUN orders, please.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Not walking - that would be great.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Anthony, you're going to be on the floor.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Cain, Jenaya, you're also going to be on the floor, serving,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50so keep your customers up to date with where their order's at.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54In fact, trainer sales are so buoyant,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58JD is opening a brand-new flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03But until it opens, this branch will have to cope with demand.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Our footfall for today could be
0:06:06 > 0:06:11anywhere between 4,000 to 6,000 customers, coming into our store.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16With the store starting to get busy, Donna is pushing her team hard.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Can you order that in that size for a customer?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Get rubbish off the floor as well, yeah?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Keep the shoes back on the wall for me, yeah?
0:06:24 > 0:06:26My manager, Donna, is very OCD.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29She's always out saying, "Do that, do that.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32"Make sure everything is tidy."
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Some people might say that I have OCD with my store...
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Realistically, I just want everything to be
0:06:39 > 0:06:42as best as it possibly can be.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44With so much demand to try on trainers,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47the store's installed a cutting-edge system
0:06:47 > 0:06:50to get shoes out to the shop floor as fast as possible.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53What we have here is our footwear ordering system.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Size ten in this pair? Give me just one second,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I'll check for you. Take a seat.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I'm just scanning the shoe to see
0:07:02 > 0:07:05if we have the size that she needs in stock.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08I scan it, it goes through on the display to the stockroom
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and then they'll grab the shoes, bring it out.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13That will be just a few minutes, we'll get it out to you.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17This is the side of JD few ever see.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20A Max 90-400 in a ten.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Stuart's running the storeroom today - literally.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26The screen tells him the make, model and size
0:07:26 > 0:07:28and he uses a coding system to find it
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and get it to the shop floor as fast as he can.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33They want it out from here,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36from when they've ordered to here in about two to three minutes.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Thanks very much, bud. 401.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Running the storeroom is trainer fanatic Stuart's dream job.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Shoes is literally everything. It's every second thought for me.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I collect shoes. I'm on 132 at the minute.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58My most expensive, I've actually just sold,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02was an original Jordan from 1984.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Never been worn, never come out the box.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I paid 1,700, so it's about £1,300.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13I sold them for just under 3,000, so about £2,400.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Not a bad profit, but part of me still wants the shoes.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20And with the sale in full swing,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Stuart has a lot more orders to pull out.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24HE PANTS
0:08:24 > 0:08:30Later, the sale continues and one shoe, in particular, causes a stir.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35Very comfy. I'm so hoping I can get them.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47Oxford Street is undergoing its most radical change in over 100 years.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Vast swathes at the east end of the street are now a building site,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54as developers plunge billions into a new plaza
0:08:54 > 0:08:57that will dominate the area.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00And no-one is living with this more than the staff
0:09:00 > 0:09:03at Tottenham Court Road Underground Station.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08The station is decrepit and is long past its sell-by date,
0:09:08 > 0:09:13so London Underground are spending hundreds of millions updating it.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Stage one of the works starts this morning,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19when one of the two Tube lines that uses the station -
0:09:19 > 0:09:21the Central Line - closes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27For stage two, tomorrow, they open a brand-new ticket hall next door.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31This morning is Bob Lawrence's final shift at the old ticket hall.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34It's Bob's job, this morning,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36to deal with the fallout from passengers
0:09:36 > 0:09:40when they realise that Central Line trains are no longer stopping here.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43One man is more upset than most.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48He's travelled eight and a half miles from his north London home
0:09:48 > 0:09:51on his way to work to change trains here,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54and has now found out he can't.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The only way then is to Embankment
0:09:57 > 0:09:59and then get the Circle Line round to Notting Hill Gate.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02That's the only way round, I'm afraid.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Oh... And how long is that going to take me?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Er...- I'm really going to be late.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11It's going to take you about half an hour to get there,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13including the interchange.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I work security as well. I can't be late.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- That's something I can't do.- What time you got to be there by? Now?
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- Nine! I'm meant to be there at nine! - It's nine o'clock now, yeah. Um...
0:10:24 > 0:10:27At Colindale Station, I asked the guy,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31"Is it open for me to come through the Central Line to get to work?"
0:10:31 > 0:10:36And he says, "Yeah, get on the train. Go." I'm here and I'm stuck.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I've suggested he exits here at number one,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43catches any number of five buses to go from here to Marble Arch,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46to continue his journey on the Central Line to Shepherd's Bush.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49That's the way it's been. It's been advertised for a month now.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Why they never told you...
0:10:50 > 0:10:54At Colindale Station, someone has to be responsible for their actions.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Bob wants to help and is prepared to go the extra mile.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00He volunteers to give the man his own mobile number
0:11:00 > 0:11:05so that if his bosses want to confirm why he's late for work, they can.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- If they want to call here, give him that.- OK, no problem.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13So, you've got the 7, 10, 73...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15If his bosses do want to ring up to check
0:11:15 > 0:11:18the validation of the story, they've got it, which is not a problem.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22So, if he is late for work, he's covered, hopefully.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26For Bob, it's not been an uneventful final shift at the old ticket hall.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31But tomorrow, he'll be doing it all again in the brand-spanking new one.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35As one customer put it, it's like something out of the space age.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38We'll have to wait and see what happens when it finally does open.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Later, the new ticket hall's open
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and the teething problems are just beginning.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46At quarter past eight in the morning,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48it's one thing we DON'T really need.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02PC Paul Penrose and PC Hatice Iper are undercover on Oxford Street.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07They've stopped four men who are acting suspiciously.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12I've been watching you two, stood over there for a long time.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Then I've seen you two come over, shake hands with this gentleman
0:12:15 > 0:12:19and you've swapped something between yourselves.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23You have then taken this rucksack off him.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Guys, you're going to be searched, OK, under Section 1 of PACE.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I'm looking for stolen articles.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I believe you guys have been passing items between you.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38The backpack that drew Paul's suspicion
0:12:38 > 0:12:40has quite a surprise inside it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43OK, do you want to tell me what this is? Cos I know what this is.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45You don't know?
0:12:46 > 0:12:47It's not your bag?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Paul's found a foam ball and three cups.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55It might not look like much, but Paul knows this is the equipment
0:12:55 > 0:12:59for a fraudulent game played only to rip off the public.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Welcome to the world of gaming.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05This is the game being played.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It was filmed recently by a passer-by
0:13:07 > 0:13:09and posted online as a warning.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13So, this is how it works. They'll have a mat, three cups.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17The object of the game is to guess which cup the foam ball is under.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Watch the ball, move the cups round.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24But what he's done, he's taken the foam ball out from underneath
0:13:24 > 0:13:26and concealed it in his hand.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31There is no ball under those cups.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Tourists will guess and go, "It's under that one."
0:13:34 > 0:13:37£20 on. He'll go, "No."
0:13:37 > 0:13:40He'll say, "All the time, it was under THAT one."
0:13:40 > 0:13:44And he will slip it under as he lifts the other cup.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47So, you are never going to win this game.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Gamers can get away with the con,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53because people don't realise they've been tricked.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55These guys are gambling for £20 a throw on this,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59so they make £200 in 20 minutes, comfortably.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01There's gangs of three, four, five who are involved.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03You've got the chap who plays the game,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06you've got someone who poses as a player
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and will start putting down big money and they'll let him win,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12as well as spotters to keep an eye out for the police.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It's not illegal gambling.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18They're actually fraud because it's a game you cannot win.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20It's your bag. It was on you.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22So, you're telling me it's HIS bag, yeah?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25OK, so you're going gaming, yeah? Whose is it?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Whoa, you stay there. Who's going to tell on their mate?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32No honour amongst thieves, is there?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35At the moment, it's yours. It was on your back.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40None of the men are in a rush to claim ownership of the bag
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and while Paul's determined that visitors to Oxford Street
0:14:43 > 0:14:46won't lose their money to these fraudsters,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48without seeing the men actually playing,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50no offence has been committed.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51You're free to go.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- Yes.- OK? The minute you get that out, you get arrested.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59This time, the men are allowed to go, but the police in London
0:14:59 > 0:15:01are keeping an eye out for anyone they find
0:15:01 > 0:15:03actually playing the scam game.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05This type of fraud is a big problem
0:15:05 > 0:15:09but one the police are determined to root out.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13In the last six months, Westminster Police have made 107 arrests
0:15:13 > 0:15:18of people organising the scam game in the West End of London alone.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Of these, 20 were cautioned and 78 were charged with illegal gaming.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25It is something we're determined to crack down on
0:15:25 > 0:15:29because tourists are losing a terrific amount of money
0:15:29 > 0:15:32to these guys. We close them down, they move somewhere else.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35We close them down, they move somewhere else.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38We just hound the life out of them, really, just keep them on the move.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51It's sale day at JD, Oxford Street, and with prices reduced,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53business is booming.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Size six or seven, yeah?
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Staff member Anthony is one of the store's top salesmen,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01but even HE is feeling the pressure.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- It won't be long at all, all right? - MAN:- Cheers.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06It is actually quite busy today.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Trainers are just off the shelves, they're everywhere,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12people are getting impatient,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15we're trying our best as possible to get trainers out on time for them.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19If you need anything, just give us a shout, OK? All right?
0:16:19 > 0:16:23But one pair they don't sell a lot of are these -
0:16:23 > 0:16:27the Nike Mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo football boots,
0:16:27 > 0:16:32named after the Real Madrid star, and they're not in the sale.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36They're £250. Very expensive.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40One person who's taken a shine to the store's most expensive boots
0:16:40 > 0:16:42is Quinn.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Ah, YOU want them. Right.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46He's visiting from America with his cousins
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and has set his heart on getting himself a pair.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55They feel really comfy...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58A nice texture in them inside...
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Also, they're soft, the soft bit of it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06At the moment, the kids are on their own in the store,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09but Quinn's dad is currently on the way to pick the boys up.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Very comfy....
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I'm so hoping I can get them.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27Quinn's hoping his dad will stretch to the £250 price tag.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30So, did you want me to leave them at the till or take them back?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Um, leave them at the till. - All right.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- That's if your dad buys them. - Hopefully he will.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41And, just on cue, Quinn's dad, Daryl, arrives.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45He's had a text message about the boots.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Will he stump up and make Quinn's dream come true?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51You're not having them from here. You're not having the boots.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53He wants the most expensive boots in the store.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00So, Quinn is forced to leave without £250 of football boots.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04But while this sale might have fallen through,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07the discounts are keeping the rest of the business brisk.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10And keeping the shop floor fed with footwear,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Stuart's still busy backstage.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16109 in a nine.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Can I leave this with you? That all right? Thank you.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23But, as soon as one's delivered,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- there's half a dozen others on the screen.- 1092 in a ten...
0:18:26 > 0:18:28And we don't seem...
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Have we got anything going out? We're done! Clear screen.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40By the end of his eight-hour shift, it looks like job done.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43When you clear the screen, it's a nice relief, really, for everything.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47They expected over 4,000 customers would enter the shop
0:18:47 > 0:18:49and they were right.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51The team have hit their targets
0:18:51 > 0:18:55and can congratulate themselves on a good day's work.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Long day, really busy, a lot of customers in,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01done a lot of sales, been quite productive.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02It's been good, it's been fun.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04While they head off,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08the Nike Mercurials get ready for another lonely night in the store.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20At the east end of Oxford Street,
0:19:20 > 0:19:25it's all change at one of its key Tube stations - Tottenham Court Road.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28As part of a multimillion-pound redevelopment,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31the Victorian ticket hall has been closed,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34to be replaced by a brand-new one next door.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39It's taken two years to build and cost hundred of millions of pounds.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Station veteran Bob is there for the grand opening.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47It's been good so far. The reaction's been pretty good.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48People have been impressed.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Looking round and seeing smiles on their faces,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52they're quite impressed with it all so far.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54So, just hope it keeps going like this.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57The opening's a big deal for London Underground -
0:19:57 > 0:20:00the culmination of months of hard work.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04There's a briefing with top brass for the media and, for passengers,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07they're starting with what they call a soft opening,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09on a weekday morning in the holiday period.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11They're hoping it will weed out
0:20:11 > 0:20:13any teething problems with the new building.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17One person who doesn't need a ticket
0:20:17 > 0:20:20is Transport for London managing director, Mike Brown.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Greeting him is Alexander.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- How are we doing? What do you think? - Oh, very happy about this.- Yeah?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Feel like saying, "Ooh, we got everything."
0:20:29 > 0:20:31A little bit nervous, you know.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35When your chief executive come and see how the station is going,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37you're a bit nervous.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40I have a little butterfly flying in my tummy now.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I'm very happy. Everything is working fine.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47But just then, the first problems begin to emerge.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51'Your key is not working?'
0:20:53 > 0:20:55The escalator has gone off.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58The emergency button was pushed downstairs.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00It was reset but they can't reset it.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03With the boss briefing the national media,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06it's vital the team get it up and running as soon as possible.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Bob calls in the experts.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10All right, OK, cheers.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12MESSAGE OVER RADIO
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Engineer's on site. That was quite quick, actually.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23The engineers get to work and things are soon ready to move again.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Escalator eight is running now.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31But, no sooner have they fixed it...
0:21:31 > 0:21:35One to base. Number 13 escalator is off as well.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37..another one's down.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42The glitches which you expect... It's like moving into a new house.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45This piece is missing, that piece is missing
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and we are expecting a little bit of glitches,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51but gradually, it's going to be fitting in.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54MESSAGE OVER RADIO
0:21:54 > 0:21:58New station, everybody wants to get it right.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01And, as of now, we're getting it right.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05One to base. The escalator stopped again.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Weeding out teething problems like these
0:22:08 > 0:22:10are why they have soft openings.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13With the engineers on the scene, it's soon solved.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19'We have a good service on all lines. A good service on all lines.'
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Yeah, nice! Everybody happy.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25My customers are happy, I'm also happy.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30The old ticket hall welcomed Oxford Street customers for over 100 years.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34During its lifetime, hundreds of millions of people used it.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38It's hoped the new ticket hall will be just as successful.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50With over half a million visitors a week
0:22:50 > 0:22:52thronging the pavements of Oxford Street,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55it doesn't leave much space for staging events.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00But there is a place, down an alley off it, which has got room -
0:23:00 > 0:23:01St Christopher's Place.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08This ancient courtyard is a haven of restaurants, shops and bars,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11away from the hustle and bustle of the main street
0:23:11 > 0:23:13and the extra space makes it perfect
0:23:13 > 0:23:16for staging the events Oxford Street can't fit.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Which is why, very early this morning,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Matthew Harris is overseeing some construction.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Any way to change the angle?
0:23:23 > 0:23:28It is...heading up to half six in the morning.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30We are currently getting a stage together
0:23:30 > 0:23:32for the One Great Day event.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37One Great Day is 24 hours of organised charity fundraising
0:23:37 > 0:23:41for nearby Great Ormond Street children's hospital.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44It involves events all over the UK
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and St Christopher's Place is holding the London leg,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50which Joanne Wilkes has helped to organise.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55We did a similar benefit last year and we raised about £12,000.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57This year we're aiming for closer to...
0:23:57 > 0:24:00gosh, I don't know, £15,000, £20,000, something like that.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03The stage will host the main event today -
0:24:03 > 0:24:05a charity bike race.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Teams of three from local shops and businesses
0:24:08 > 0:24:12have been sponsored to ride 3km on exercise bikes.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15The team with the fastest average will get a prize.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19All the money raised will be given to Great Ormond Street.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22The team get busy with the preparations.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Out front is Simon, one of the St Christopher's Place bellboys,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30and it's his job today to attract spectators into the event.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Good morning. It's One Great Day on St Christopher's Place today.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Come and say hello. We've got lots of things happening all day long.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41But at this time in the morning, it's proving a hard sell.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Good morning. One Great Day on St Christopher's Place today.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Drop by on your lunch break. Come and say hello. Come and join us.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- We've got lots of things happening all day long.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53At least we got an interaction. That's the struggle.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58In the courtyard, the cycling competition is about to start.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01The first team to take to the bikes
0:25:01 > 0:25:04are all staff from Oxford Street's retail association,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07the New West End Company.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10But there's a surprise for them, waiting on stage.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13They're about to get their starting orders
0:25:13 > 0:25:15from a genuine Olympic champion.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19I'm delighted to welcome to the stage Victoria Pendleton,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22double gold medal winner and silver medal winner
0:25:22 > 0:25:25and she's going to launch our very first race of the day.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- We've got 41 races to run today. Are you ready, cyclists?- Yes.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- OK, three, two, one... - SHE HONKS HORN
0:25:33 > 0:25:35And they're off.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42As their legs get pumping, Victoria has some words of advice.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Before long, the New West End Company are done
0:25:54 > 0:25:56and their results are on the scoreboard.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58They're in the lead...for now.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Good cause. It was worth doing at 8am in the morning.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But soon, other teams are hot on their heels.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Quick, quick, quick, quick!
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Done two, 39 to go.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12HE LAUGHS
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Five, four, three, two, one.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Not quite there. - What did you do that for?
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- I was getting you going!- That was mean!- I know that was mean but, hey.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Exhausted or not, the racers keep trying
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and the money keeps rolling in.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- It's much better than last year. - Yeah, bigger and better.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36And we've raised more money.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I think we could still hit our target of £20,000.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42The competition is hotting up...
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- Three, two, one... - HORN BLARES
0:26:44 > 0:26:45The team from Cote Brasserie
0:26:45 > 0:26:48are hoping to smash their previous record.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53Last year, we arrived 31st out of 44, so really, really bad.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58I promised a good lunch and a good bottle of wine
0:26:58 > 0:27:00if they come within ten places.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02You can do it! Come on!
0:27:02 > 0:27:07Come on! Go, guys, go, go! Breathe, breathe out, breathe out.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09They've got a tough task
0:27:09 > 0:27:12with the current top time of four minutes, eight, to beat.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Come on, come on! Keep going, keep going!
0:27:14 > 0:27:17But manager Fiorenzo is not afraid to use
0:27:17 > 0:27:20all his motivational management skills.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Speed, speed, speed! Vai, vai!
0:27:22 > 0:27:27- Even if he's forgotten they're cycling.- Run, run, run, run!
0:27:28 > 0:27:313km done in a time of four minutes, 47 seconds,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34isn't going to trouble the leaderboard,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38but it leaves them well ahead of last year's 31st place.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39Whoo!
0:27:39 > 0:27:42The day and the competition are almost over
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and the fundraisers are optimistic.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47The bucket is full, so we're really stoked.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50We made our £12,000 target, but that's not enough.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53We're carrying on. We're going to try and hit £20,000.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56There's loads of people drinking now, so if they can afford £5
0:27:56 > 0:27:59for a pint of beer, they can stick a couple of quid in the bucket.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04In total, St Christopher's Place has raised £15,000,
0:28:04 > 0:28:0725% more than the previous year, smashing their targets.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11There was a 5% increase in footfall across the day
0:28:11 > 0:28:14and 18,000 social media mentions.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17It's good news for the children of Great Ormond Street
0:28:17 > 0:28:20and proves that visitors to Oxford Street
0:28:20 > 0:28:22can be a generous lot on a good day.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27Meanwhile, the organisers can relax and start enjoying one great night.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- He doesn't do hugs.- No.