0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's the most famous shopping street in the world, in the heart
0:00:04 > 0:00:07of Britain's capital city.
0:00:07 > 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 > 0:00:15biggest stars...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Kate Moss!
0:00:17 > 0:00:19..and busiest stations.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Sorry, 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 > 0:00:27It's the busiest street in the world, it needs constant attention.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..seven days a week.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Oi, clear off!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33You are 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 > 0:00:41This sort of thing wouldn't happen anywhere else.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Oxford Street.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46Coming up...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49HORNS HONK ..Oxford Street gridlock.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Well over 1,000 cabs.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Protesting cabbies take their grievances to the street...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57We are fighting for our rights!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00..transport control tries to deal with the fallout.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02This bus has not moved for about ten minutes.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I wasn't expecting this.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Bath-bomb alert, there's a flagship cosmetics store opening.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12And a photographer is on the hunt for the perfect sunrise.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Any minute now.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23It's lunchtime at the West End Central Police Station
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and the Oxford Street police team, known as ORB,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29are bracing themselves for a busy day.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33A demonstration is planned on Oxford Street
0:01:33 > 0:01:36by a black cab drivers' association,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39and it's going to be the ORB's job to police it.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43There's probably going to be about 150 cabbies and cabs in attendance.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Police have been told the protest will take the form of a go-slow,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50with drivers of black cabs making their point by deliberately
0:01:50 > 0:01:55driving slowly to create congestion for an hour in the afternoon.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57It's been organised by cabbie Trevor Merralls.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Mr Merralls has no method of communication with the cab drivers
0:02:00 > 0:02:03of the event, other than shouting at them as they drive past.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Can I give you one of them, mate?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Fella, can I give you one of these?
0:02:07 > 0:02:10There's a demo here at two o'clock in case you're not aware.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11The cabbies are protesting
0:02:11 > 0:02:14because they believe private hire operations such as minicabs,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18pedicabs and online taxi apps like Uber, aren't being properly
0:02:18 > 0:02:22regulated by the overseeing authority, Transport For London.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Cheers, fella.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26They say this is putting the safety of the public at risk.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Can I give you one of these, mate?
0:02:28 > 0:02:31We're calling this demo Enough Is Enough
0:02:31 > 0:02:33because the London cab drivers have had enough of this.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36We believe that TFL are not doing their own job, which is to
0:02:36 > 0:02:38regulate and to enforce the law.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39Thanks very much, mate.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Transport For London disputes any suggestion their regulatory work
0:02:43 > 0:02:46is inadequate, saying they robustly enforce the rules
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and that customer satisfaction rates are high.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54But the protest is going ahead anyway, with Oxford Street chosen
0:02:54 > 0:02:55to give it maximum exposure.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02It is the police's job today to make sure the street doesn't come
0:03:02 > 0:03:04to a standstill.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07It's a key route for buses and any hold-ups will have
0:03:07 > 0:03:09a huge knock-on effect.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Fingers crossed they carry on a snail's pace,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16flowing through the street. Hopefully!
0:03:16 > 0:03:21At Oxford Circus, in the middle of the mile-and-a-half-long street,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Trevor and colleagues are getting ready for the 2pm kick-off.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Police are allowing them one hour for their protest
0:03:29 > 0:03:32and it is generating publicity before it's even started.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- Have you spoken with the organiser? - Oh, I have...
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Chief Inspector Stephen Manger is the key Met man on the ground.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40- Hi.- Hi, Trevor.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42I'm Steve Manger.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46We're here to help you facilitate your peaceful protest today.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Respecting the cabbies' right to protest,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51he wants to take a cooperative approach today.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54I appreciate it is going to get congested down Oxford Street
0:03:54 > 0:03:56and that is going to be part of your protest.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59What I can't have is obviously the main junctions blocked here at all.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- All right.- Thank you, once again. - Cheers. Much obliged.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Thank you.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07The biggest impact of the demonstration is likely to be
0:04:07 > 0:04:09felt by the buses.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14They are overseen by a central control room known as CentreComm.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18This rarely seen communications hub is the nerve centre of London's
0:04:18 > 0:04:23traffic planning. It has access to thousands of CCTV cameras
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and cutting-edge traffic management systems.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Dealing with today's protest is the job of assistant events
0:04:31 > 0:04:33planning manager, Clare Shaw.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35My role today is to manage London buses,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38make sure we keep them moving as much as possible,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40minimise the impact on our passengers.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42There's quite a lot in there already.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44If they stop and they are static
0:04:44 > 0:04:48and they don't move, then obviously that is when the problems start.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Cab traffic on Oxford Street has been steadily building up
0:04:52 > 0:04:56in the hour before the beginning of the protest, and at the official
0:04:56 > 0:05:00start time, it doesn't take long for the demonstration to have an effect.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03HORNS HONK
0:05:06 > 0:05:09So we're looking in the region of 500-plus.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11This is a bigger response than we actually thought
0:05:11 > 0:05:15and the demo is one minute old and already it is gridlocked.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17HONKS HORN
0:05:17 > 0:05:21The authorities' hopes for a go-slow are soon dashed as, instead,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26hundreds of taxi drivers use Oxford Street as a giant car park.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Within seconds, it is total gridlock.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- It's already built up, isn't it? - Solid back there.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35For CentreComm, it is a perfect storm.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39There's a Tube line already down today, and a major fire
0:05:39 > 0:05:43elsewhere means the bus network is under enormous strain as it is.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45I've just seen Tottenham Court Road area now
0:05:45 > 0:05:46is absolutely chocka as well.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51With the go-slow becoming a no-go, it is up to the CentreComm team
0:05:51 > 0:05:54to put diversions in place to try and keep the buses moving.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56It is probably worth starting to pull...
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I think we need to start pulling some out
0:05:58 > 0:06:00because the delays are serious now.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Andrew Highfield is the CentreComm manager.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I've allowed the 19s to go up Shaftesbury at the moment.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07The guys are working out the best thing to do with the buses
0:06:07 > 0:06:09that are currently there and stuck.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12They're trying to pull stuff away to remove buses from the area.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13HORNS HONK
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Later, as the demonstration escalates,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18buses and police come into conflict.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- Pull up to the left-hand side, please?- Well, I'm not going to.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33For every shop chain in the UK, the ultimate proof they've made it
0:06:33 > 0:06:36is getting a flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Of the street's 200 shops, over 70 are flagships.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45But just what does it mean to a company to open their leading store
0:06:45 > 0:06:48on Europe's busiest shopping street?
0:06:48 > 0:06:53About to find out is British cosmetics chain Lush.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55There's seven weeks to go
0:06:55 > 0:06:59until they open their international flagship here.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03But the shop itself starts life 112 miles away from the glittering
0:07:03 > 0:07:04lights of the West End.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07It's currently being assembled
0:07:07 > 0:07:10in a warehouse in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13by store designers Jo and Katie.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18This is our mock-up unit for the Oxford Street store,
0:07:18 > 0:07:24and at the moment we are just trying to work out what's going where.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29The company started 20 years ago making handmade cosmetic products
0:07:29 > 0:07:31from organic materials.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36It's grown steadily so that it now has over 900 stores across the world,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39but the Oxford Street shop will top the lot.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42This is the biggest thing we've ever done, store-wise.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45This is about three to four times the size
0:07:45 > 0:07:46of anything we've ever done.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50To coincide with the opening, the company is trialling
0:07:50 > 0:07:55over 200 new products, all of them exclusive to Oxford Street.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Their development is being overseen at the firm's production facilities,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01also in Dorset.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Today, company co-founder and boss Mark Constantine has come with
0:08:05 > 0:08:08senior management to sign off some of the new products.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12The company made its name with bath bombs,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14or ballistics, as it calls them.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17They're fizzy bath salts and scents, hardpacked into balls.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21For the store opening, they have developed eight new ones,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25but the delicate purple petals on one are proving tricky.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28As it went in the water, obviously, so the flower came out
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and then we realised we could probably create absolute havoc
0:08:31 > 0:08:32with breakages.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34But they are so beautiful.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37It will be up to the manufacturing team to work out how to
0:08:37 > 0:08:41mass-produce the lotus flower to avoid breakages.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45While they do that, back on Oxford Street, Jen Hilton
0:08:45 > 0:08:48is in charge of fitting out the shop itself.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51We've only got four weeks left of construction,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and seven and a half weeks left until we actually open
0:08:54 > 0:08:55and there's a huge amount to do.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59And that job isn't made any easier by an issue
0:08:59 > 0:09:02with the shop's stockroom.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05We were trying to get an external office, which is just adjacent
0:09:05 > 0:09:08to this building, which is easy for access through the front
0:09:08 > 0:09:10and through the back, but we are having landlord issues
0:09:10 > 0:09:13in terms of they're not playing ball
0:09:13 > 0:09:15and don't want to give us that office at the moment.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19So we have to find a solution somehow,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I just don't know what that is at the moment!
0:09:22 > 0:09:24So, a real concern,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26real concern.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31With potentially tens of thousands of pounds worth of stock being
0:09:31 > 0:09:35sold every day, the store needs to keep plenty of products in reserve.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Without a stockroom to keep them in, they risk running empty.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43As store manager Claire, who happens to be the boss's daughter,
0:09:43 > 0:09:44is about to find out.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51So we are struggling to secure that external unit.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54But we'll find a way, we've still got time.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59While Claire gets her head round the storage issue, back in Dorset,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03dad Mark is inspecting the store interiors for sign off,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06with Jo and Katie from the design team.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08As you come down the grand staircase there,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11this will be the first product range you see, which is our massage bars.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- That's great.- Yeah, you like that?
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- Sign off.- OK. Excellent. That's one!
0:10:16 > 0:10:17To lure people into the store,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20they are planning a number of innovative features, including
0:10:20 > 0:10:25a spa, cinema, lecture area, hair-washing facilities,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27and a series of music booths.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29So we've got a listening post in here.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32You can try the digital format there and there's where you can play
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- the vinyl.- Yeah. Beautiful.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35Mark's approval means Jo, Katie
0:10:35 > 0:10:38and the store interior team can get packing.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Later, the team tackles a leak...
0:10:41 > 0:10:43No, can't do it.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46..a lack of storage and delicate petals.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- These were falling out before, weren't they?- They were falling out.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58HORN HONKS
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Europe's busiest shopping street has been brought to a standstill
0:11:01 > 0:11:04in a protest by drivers of black cabs.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Wall-to-wall taxis along the whole of Oxford Street,
0:11:08 > 0:11:09it's very impressive.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13They're demonstrating against their regulating authority,
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Transport For London.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19And as the hour they've been given to protest ticks on,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21they start to make their presence felt.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24HORNS HONK
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Power to the people! For the taxi trade!
0:11:29 > 0:11:31We're fighting for our rights!
0:11:31 > 0:11:33This is all about enforcement!
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Well over 1,000 cabs. Well over. Can't even get out.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37We've all got to stick together.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39We need to do it every week.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Stand up for the black cab drivers!
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- We've been here for over 300 years! - Boris is not listening!
0:11:46 > 0:11:50But while the cabbies are making the most of the occasion,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Claire and the CentreComm team have their work cut out.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56This bus hasn't moved for about ten minutes.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57Wasn't expecting this.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59It was going to be minimal, wasn't it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:01We were told it was going to be minimal, yeah.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Dozens of buses with thousands of passengers on board are now
0:12:05 > 0:12:06stuck in gridlock.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09They might just have to sit it out.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Until we can get the roads back, we are sort of stopping people
0:12:12 > 0:12:14getting home, travelling to work.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Commuters are affected hugely today.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21CentreComm control are desperately trying to get them moving again.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24The police are now down here because they are stuck
0:12:24 > 0:12:26behind traffic, so if they can help them turn right,
0:12:26 > 0:12:27then that will be fine.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30The pressure is now on the police to try and break the deadlock.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Straight on and to the right, please.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Chief Inspector Manger tries to redirect traffic
0:12:36 > 0:12:38away from Oxford Street.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42But this is unwelcome news to one bus driver.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Who's given me permission to turn right here?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I'm giving you permission to turn right here and we are
0:12:47 > 0:12:50linking with the bus. At the moment, we have got to clear Oxford Street.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Yes, but I've got to be told to do that.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54I can't just do...be told... I've got to be told by...
0:12:54 > 0:12:56CentreComm hasn't...
0:12:56 > 0:12:59I'm sorry, at the moment, you can't stop in the middle of the road.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03If you go around to the left-hand side, you can park up there.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- That's not my route, though. - You need to go over there, madam.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Madam, you need to pull up over there.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Call them once you've pulled up over to the left-hand side.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19If you pull up over there and I'll speak to the Gold Badge.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22The Gold Badge is the senior transport commander on the day,
0:13:22 > 0:13:24also based at CentreComm.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Have you got the contact for Gold Badge?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I'm going to have to start putting the buses over to the left-hand side.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I'm going to get buses totally redirected.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36I'm going to put them at the moment into Regent Street to the north.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- OK.- OK? They'll have to park up and they can be redirected from there.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40No problem.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Right, madam, I've just spoken to the Gold Badge people here.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Where are they?! - Well, I don't know where they are.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I spoke to them and they said, "Did your garage tell you to do that?"
0:13:48 > 0:13:49I said, "No, a policeman did."
0:13:49 > 0:13:52They said, "Can you stay there? Stand by, we'll get back to you."
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Pull up to the left-hand side, please?
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Right, OK, we'll speak to the Gold Badge to try and sort this out.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02The officer wants me to turn left, my bus doesn't go left,
0:14:02 > 0:14:03my bus goes straight across.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06REPORTER: Are you going to listen to the control centre or...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I listen to who I work for - London Transport.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13The buses are now refusing to move off their routes.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17The dispute with the bus driver reaches CentreComm,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20who agree to divert the buses away from the street.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23They wanted to go left into Regent Street, Portland Place,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27go up to Marylebone Road, turn right onto the Euston Road there,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and then left onto Hampstead Road.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31I'll put a call out. Hold on.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36It's now Ken's job to put out an announcement to every bus in London.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38A demonstration in Oxford Street, Marble Arch.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Please listen out for further calls from CentreComm. Thanks.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I had an audience there of about 5,000 buses,
0:14:46 > 0:14:47plus all the operators in the garages,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50cos that call goes out to the whole of London.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54If you include the passengers on board, it is
0:14:54 > 0:14:56probably a couple of hundred thousand.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59And Ken's call has an effect on the ground.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02To the left, he said. Yes, which would be helpful.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- Thank you. OK. - 'Thank you, Steve.'
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Thanks a lot.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10OK. So she's got details now from her control
0:15:10 > 0:15:14that she can turn left and, hopefully, that is going to
0:15:14 > 0:15:16alleviate some of the congestion that we've got.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18The demonstration is only due to last an hour
0:15:18 > 0:15:20and that time is nearly up.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24As 3pm comes round,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27the police move in to enforce the deadline for the protest.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Problems?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32My understanding was it was due to finish at three, is that correct?
0:15:32 > 0:15:34We're getting the message out to the drivers...
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- That's what we're doing.- OK. - Thank you very much for your help.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Right, so...- OK.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Can we try and get your guys to keep moving up?- Yeah.- Is that all right?
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- Yeah, no problem at all. No problem at all, they've got to.- Thank you.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52It's over, boys and girls. It's over, thank you very much.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54It's over.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Well done.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Well done, boys. Thanks very much for your support.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06HORNS BEEP
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Well done, boys.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10All in all, I think went quite well.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13They got their say and they have had their piece
0:16:13 > 0:16:15and they have had plenty of time to do it
0:16:15 > 0:16:18and now it is just about getting the city moving again.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20But with an hour's gridlock to clear,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24it will take some time before the buses are back to normal.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26We are starting to get some movement.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Roads are now starting to reopen in sections.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30The plans that were in place are coming out
0:16:30 > 0:16:32and we are now looking at a recovery plan.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35It is probably going to take an hour to recover, really,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37at least, to start getting the services back.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Trevor thinks his protest has been a triumph.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Be lucky!
0:16:41 > 0:16:43We have been around for 350 years
0:16:43 > 0:16:45and we will be around another 350 years.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47The boys and girls have demonstrated that today.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I was proud beforehand of being a London cabbie
0:16:50 > 0:16:53but I've never been more prouder in my life than I am today.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07In a week's time, cosmetics maker Lush opens its brand-new
0:17:07 > 0:17:10flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12But at the firm's Dorset factory,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15manufacturing director Liz Smith has come
0:17:15 > 0:17:18to check on another crucial area for the opening.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22The new Oxford Street stuff, where are you doing it?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Liz has come to see if her ballistics boys,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Mike and Dan, have managed to master mass production of that
0:17:29 > 0:17:34difficult lotus flower bath bomb, a mixture of fizzy bath salts and oils
0:17:34 > 0:17:36hard-packed into a ball.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Are they working out better, then, Mike?
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Yeah, they're working out a lot better. We have revised the formula.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44That was the main points there,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46every single gap you have to really push in.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Are they going to be ready by tomorrow to get up to Oxford Street?
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- We will let you know in the morning. - It is go, go, go, basically.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56I can't stress enough now that every minute, hour counts.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01Liz's sign-off means the products can start shipping to London,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03which is a worry for Jen.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04She is busy fitting the shop out
0:18:04 > 0:18:08but there is still no sign of the external stockroom,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11which means she has got room for only a fraction
0:18:11 > 0:18:13of Mike and Dan's bath bombs.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17It completely changes how we would work with this building
0:18:17 > 0:18:20and the sales and the functionality of it, in terms of stock.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22There is no space for stock.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24At the moment it just doesn't work,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26so we have to try and find a solution.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29For Jen, things are stressful enough as it is
0:18:29 > 0:18:31without other unforeseen problems.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37We have sprung a leak in the pipework that has already
0:18:37 > 0:18:41filled up, so it has flooded through into the basement bit.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43So we are just trying to fix it
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and we are not having a lot of success at the moment.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50And everybody is...worried.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54There could be about 60 litres of water in that bit of pipe.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56They need to drain the system,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00but with the shop-fitting nearly complete, that's NOT easy.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I'm not sure that's going to work.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Later, can the team get the store ready for the grand opening
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and a visit from a rock superstar?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21It is the early hours of the morning
0:19:21 > 0:19:27and James Burns is getting ready for his day's work on Oxford Street.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Clear as you like.
0:19:29 > 0:19:3313 degrees, sunrise 6:05.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Time now, four o'clock.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38And there is a reason James is paying such close attention
0:19:38 > 0:19:40to the sunrise time.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45He is a professional photographer, specialising in pictures of skylines.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49And today, he has received his dream commission.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52A property developer wants him to capture some images of
0:19:52 > 0:19:55the sunrise over one of their buildings -
0:19:55 > 0:19:58iconic '60s skyscraper, Centre Point.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01I think the skill, really, in getting a good shot
0:20:01 > 0:20:03is knowing the weather.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06And after that, I think it is all just in the eye.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09The images will be used in the company's promotional material
0:20:09 > 0:20:13and to capture the moment, James has been waiting patiently
0:20:13 > 0:20:16for days for the perfect atmospheric conditions.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20This morning, he has got to make sure he is bang on time.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23If you want to do sunrise, you have got to get there an hour early,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26so that it is just starting to become twilight.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29When we get there, the lights of Oxford Street will be visible
0:20:29 > 0:20:33probably within 20 minutes or so. The light will begin to get bright
0:20:33 > 0:20:35even about 45 minutes before sunrise.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40James has been commissioned by developer Almacantar.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44They are redeveloping Centre Point at the east end of Oxford Street.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46But to get that shot,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50he has got to get six miles across London from his flat first.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54That gives us 45 minutes to get from here to Marble Arch.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56A bit of a squeeze!
0:20:56 > 0:20:59To get the best picture, James needs to be high up,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01and the developer is letting him
0:21:01 > 0:21:06access another of its Oxford Street buildings, the Marble Arch Tower.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09The problem for James is it's a mile and a half down the other end
0:21:09 > 0:21:12of the street and the time and light are not on his side.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Twilight has started. I'll put a little sprint in.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Come on, man!
0:21:19 > 0:21:20I think I see our bus.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26That's where we're going, look.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- It is waiting for us. - He has made it to the building.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Now all he's got to do is make it up to the roof,
0:21:33 > 0:21:3524 storeys above the ground.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Morning, mate.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40IF he can get past security.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45A little bit of a hurry, yeah, just to get the right photograph.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48We are trying to get the right shot from up top.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I've got the e-mail here if you want, mate.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54OK, thank you, sir. Thank you.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- The sun doesn't wait. The sun is always on time.- Yes!
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Whether he can outrun the sun, we will find out later.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16Handmade cosmetics chain Lush is getting ready for the star-studded
0:22:16 > 0:22:19opening of its brand-new flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22It is their biggest ever - over three floors -
0:22:22 > 0:22:26and it is taking a massive company-wide effort to prepare.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29They have only got two days before the grand store opening,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31featuring rock legend Brian May.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37But before any of that happens, Jen has got problems in the basement.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Plumber Bob is on the case.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Any luck?
0:22:41 > 0:22:46We are waiting for some fittings to actually just redo the pipe...
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Oh, here we are.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50So, here's the pipes now. The weakest link in the chain,
0:22:50 > 0:22:51that's it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Right, here we go. So if I just turn these on...
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Yay, we've got water!
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Success.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05PHONE RINGS And it looks like Jen's luck has turned.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08There is good news about the all-important external stockroom.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Bye.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13That was Martin, our estates manager,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17and he has just picked up the keys for the external office.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Massive deal, really happy.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23After you.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27One careful owner.
0:23:27 > 0:23:33One empty, messy space, ready to be fitted out for stock and staff.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37And just in time, because company boss Mark is on hand to view
0:23:37 > 0:23:40the new store he is about to hand over to daughter Claire to manage.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43We're just going to be doing some last-minute tweaks
0:23:43 > 0:23:45and seeing what bits and pieces aren't quite right,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49that just need a little bit of alteration before we open the doors tomorrow morning.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53He started the company from scratch 20 years ago
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and he has finally made it to Oxford Street.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59To have this kind of position on Oxford Street
0:23:59 > 0:24:05and to have this opportunity to show off to so many people
0:24:05 > 0:24:08our talents and to have them interested, is a great privilege.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14For Jen and the rest of the team,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16it is vindication for all their hard work.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19That was a big, big relief from everyone.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22All that is left to do is open up.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27For the main opening, there is something a bit special planned.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31They are expecting a royal visit. Well, almost.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Brian May is coming because we have a May Day bath bomb,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37which is in the shape of a badger.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40We sell those - to him and others - for money.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42The badger bath bomb, very useful device.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Both Brian May and Lush are major animal rights campaigners
0:24:48 > 0:24:52and the Queen guitarist is planning to cash in on the store opening
0:24:52 > 0:24:56to get publicity for a march he's leading to Parliament.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Lush has become an incredible icon in fighting for decency,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02and particularly in fighting for animal welfare and animal rights.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05All the work that I have done over the years has given me a visibility
0:25:05 > 0:25:09and a presence and I feel that I have to use that responsibly
0:25:09 > 0:25:11and that is what this is about.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Time to open the store and start the march.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19This is our new store.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Obviously we are delighted to be hosting this rally
0:25:22 > 0:25:24and march from here on the first day
0:25:24 > 0:25:29and it is so delightful to have Brian and everybody here.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Let's march on Westminster!
0:25:31 > 0:25:33CHEERING
0:25:35 > 0:25:39And so, for both Brian and Lush, Oxford Street, it begins.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41So, we have arrived in Oxford Street.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45I can't imagine a nicer way to launch the shop, I really can't.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I hope everyone approves.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Photographer James is still stuck at security,
0:26:01 > 0:26:07trying to get up 24 floors to take a panoramic shot of Oxford Street.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09A little bit of a hurry, yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13But it is sunrise in 15 minutes and time is running out.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16There's a lot of people that you need to go through in order
0:26:16 > 0:26:19to get, you know, the authorisation to get up on the roof.
0:26:20 > 0:26:26Finally, the supervisor arrives and James gets the all-clear to head up.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27White door.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31This key here is the key to the best view that you get
0:26:31 > 0:26:33over Oxford Street.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34This and Centre Point
0:26:34 > 0:26:37are the two best views you get in the West End, full stop.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39'Doors opening.'
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Oh, it's beautiful. Look, the moon's out as well.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Oh, that's beautiful. Right.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55James gets to work, capturing one of the most breathtaking views
0:26:55 > 0:26:57the capital has to offer.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59It's actually got brighter already
0:26:59 > 0:27:01and I've only been here five minutes.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16Hopefully I will get a shot of the sun as it passes over Oxford Street.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23That will do. We are all set.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Three minutes.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32I am expecting to see any minute now the first little red tip
0:27:32 > 0:27:34appear over the horizon.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39There's the sun.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47When you get out of bed at three o'clock in the morning,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50as soon as you see the sun come up over the horizon,
0:27:50 > 0:27:51I am beaming with energy and...
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Oh, this is... Come on. Look at that.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Here we go. Right, I'm looking straight down Oxford Street now.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Oh...
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Oh, look at that! Come on.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07What a view, man, what a view.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Oh, it's so relaxing.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Honestly, it is the best way to start your day.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18A view of the city that I love coming to life,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20everybody starting to run around and do their thing
0:28:20 > 0:28:23and bring this city to life and make it what it is.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25And as James's working day ends,
0:28:25 > 0:28:30another is just beginning on Europe's busiest shopping street.