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 > 0:00:48HORNS HONK
0:00:48 > 0:00:49..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 > 0:01:11A private detective is on the lookout for fakes...
0:01:13 > 0:01:17..and a photographer is on the hunt for the perfect sunrise.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Any minute now.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28It's lunchtime at the West End Central Police Station
0:01:28 > 0:01:31and the Oxford Street police team, known as ORB,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34are bracing themselves for a busy day.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40A demonstration is planned on Oxford Street by a black cab drivers'
0:01:40 > 0:01:44association, and it's going to be the ORB's job to police it.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48There's probably going to be about 150 cabbies and cabs in attendance.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Police have been told the protest will take the form of a go-slow
0:01:52 > 0:01:55with drivers of black cabs making their point by deliberately
0:01:55 > 0:02:00driving slowly to create congestion for an hour in the afternoon.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02It's been organised by cabbie Trevor Merralls.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Mr Merralls has no method of communication with the cab
0:02:05 > 0:02:08drivers of the event other than shouting at them as they drive past.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Can I give you one of them, mate?
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Fella, can I give you one of these?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14There's a demo here at two o'clock in case you're not aware.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16The cabbies are protesting
0:02:16 > 0:02:19because they believe private hire operations such as minicabs,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23pedicabs and online taxi apps like Uber aren't being properly
0:02:23 > 0:02:27regulated by the overseeing authority Transport For London.
0:02:27 > 0:02:28Cheers, fella.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31They say this is putting the safety of the public at risk.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Can I give you one of these, mate?
0:02:33 > 0:02:35We're calling this demo Enough Is Enough
0:02:35 > 0:02:38because the London cab drivers have had enough of this.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41We believe that TFL are not doing their own job, which is to
0:02:41 > 0:02:43regulate and to enforce the law.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44Thank you very much, mate.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Transport For London disputes any suggestion their regulatory
0:02:47 > 0:02:51work is inadequate, saying they robustly enforce the rules
0:02:51 > 0:02:54and that customer satisfaction rates are high.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59But the protest is going ahead anyway, with Oxford Street chosen to
0:02:59 > 0:03:00give it maximum exposure.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05They are starting to put the leaflets in their windows -
0:03:05 > 0:03:06"Totally Failing London".
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Excellent.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11It is the police's job today to make sure the street doesn't come
0:03:11 > 0:03:13to a standstill.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16It's a key route for buses and any hold-ups will have
0:03:16 > 0:03:18a huge knock-on effect.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Fingers crossed they carry on a snail's pace,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25flowing through the street. Hopefully!
0:03:25 > 0:03:29At Oxford Circus, in the middle of the mile-and-a-half-long street,
0:03:29 > 0:03:34Trevor and colleagues are getting ready for the 2pm kick-off.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Police are allowing them one hour for their protest
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and it is generating publicity before it's even started.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- Have you spoken with the organiser? - Oh, I have...
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Chief Inspector Stephen Manger is the key Met man on the ground.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49- Hi.- Hi, Trevor.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51I'm Steve Manger.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54We're here to help you facilitate your peaceful protest today.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Respecting the cabbies' right to protest,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00he wants to take a cooperative approach today.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I appreciate it is going to get congested down Oxford Street
0:04:03 > 0:04:05and that is going to be part of your protest.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08What I can't have is obviously the main junctions blocked here at all.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- All right.- Thank you, once again. - Cheers. Much obliged.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Thank you.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16The biggest impact of the demonstration is likely to be
0:04:16 > 0:04:18felt by the buses.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23They are overseen by a central control room known as CentreComm.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27This rarely seen communications hub is the nerve centre of London's
0:04:27 > 0:04:32traffic planning. It has access to thousands of CCTV cameras
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and cutting-edge traffic management systems.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Dealing with today's protest is the job of assistant events
0:04:40 > 0:04:42planning manager, Clare Shaw.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44My role today is to manage London buses,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47make sure we keep moving as much as possible,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50minimise the impact on our passengers.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51There's quite a lot in there already.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53If they stop and they are static
0:04:53 > 0:04:57and they don't move, then obviously that is when the problems start.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Cab traffic on Oxford Street has been steadily building up
0:05:01 > 0:05:05in the hour before the beginning of the protest, and at the official
0:05:05 > 0:05:10start time it doesn't take long for the demonstration to have an effect.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13HORNS HONK
0:05:16 > 0:05:18So we're looking in the region of 500-plus.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20This is a bigger response than we actually thought
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and the demo is one minute old and already it is gridlocked.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25HONKS HORN
0:05:25 > 0:05:30The authorities' hopes for a go-slow are soon dashed as, instead,
0:05:30 > 0:05:35hundreds of taxi drivers use Oxford Street as a giant car park.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Within seconds, it is total gridlock.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- It's already built up, isn't it? - Solid.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45The protest is even threatening to spread beyond Oxford Street
0:05:45 > 0:05:47to nearby Regent Street.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49The road is congested to the left-hand side
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- so you won't be to go down there. - I know it is congested.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54It's congested because we are demonstrating down there.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- Yes, I appreciate that.- Everyone here is turning left anyway,
0:05:57 > 0:05:58so none of them can turn left,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02so why can't I just stay in this lane? I'm not blocking it.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05You're not letting anyone turn left, so why can't I just sit here
0:06:05 > 0:06:06and do my demonstration?
0:06:06 > 0:06:09OK, we'll have a look at the congestion further back behind.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12If it's causing a tailback further back I'll have to ask you to move.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13Everyone here's a cab driver.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16If we all move out then we've come here, you know...
0:06:16 > 0:06:18We're not going to achieve what we've come here for.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21For CentreComm it is a perfect storm.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24There's a Tube line already down today, and a major fire
0:06:24 > 0:06:28elsewhere means the bus network is under enormous strain as it is.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I've just seen Tottenham Court Road area now
0:06:31 > 0:06:32is absolutely chocka as well.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36With the go-slow becoming a no-go, it is up to the CentreComm team
0:06:36 > 0:06:40to put diversions in place to try and keep the buses moving.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41It is probably worth starting to pull...
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I think we need to start pulling some out
0:06:43 > 0:06:45because the delays are serious now.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Andrew Highfield is the CentreComm manager.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50I've allowed the 19s to go up Shaftesbury at the moment.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53The guys are working out the best thing to do with the buses
0:06:53 > 0:06:54that are currently there and stuck.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57They're trying to pull stuff away to remove buses from the area.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01But the protest has also blocked the team's usual diversion routes.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04They are closing Park Lane northbound.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Marble Arch is, as you can see, a standstill now.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08That's not going anywhere,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11and if we start diverting buses all the way round, we are just
0:07:11 > 0:07:13sending them on a wild goose chase - we might as well not send them.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15HORNS HONK
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Later, as the demonstration escalates,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20buses and police come into conflict.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- Pull up to the left-hand side, please?- Well, I'm not going to.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35For every shop chain in the UK, the ultimate proof they've
0:07:35 > 0:07:38made it is getting a flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Of the street's 200 shops, over 70 are flagships.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47But just what does it mean to a company to open their leading
0:07:47 > 0:07:51store on Europe's busiest shopping street?
0:07:51 > 0:07:55About to find out is British cosmetics chain Lush.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57There's seven weeks to go
0:07:57 > 0:08:00until they open their international flagship here.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05But the shop itself starts life 112 miles away from the glittering
0:08:05 > 0:08:06lights of the West End.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09It's currently being assembled
0:08:09 > 0:08:12in a warehouse in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15by store designers Jo and Katie.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21This is our mock-up unit for the Oxford Street store,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and what's in here at the moment is kind of the front of the store,
0:08:25 > 0:08:30and then behind there we've set up the basement floor, which
0:08:30 > 0:08:31will have a spa in it,
0:08:31 > 0:08:36and at the moment we are just trying to work out what's going where.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41The company started 20 years ago making handmade cosmetic
0:08:41 > 0:08:44products from organic materials.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49It's grown steadily so that it now has over 900 stores across the world,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52but the Oxford Street shop will top the lot.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55This is the biggest thing we've ever done, store-wise.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57This is about three to four times the size
0:08:57 > 0:08:59of anything we've ever done.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02It's got three floors - we've never done three floors before.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07It's massive, it's massive, all right?!
0:09:07 > 0:09:10While Jo and Katie work on the interior,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12others are busy on the merchandise.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15To coincide with the opening, the company is trialling
0:09:15 > 0:09:19over 200 new products, all of them exclusive to Oxford Street.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Their development is being overseen at the firm's production
0:09:23 > 0:09:25facilities, also in Dorset.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30Today, company co-founder and boss Mark Constantine has come with
0:09:30 > 0:09:34senior management to sign off some of the new products.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- What's this one? - Frozen.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39The company made its name with bath bombs,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41or Ballistics, as it calls them.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45They're fizzy bath salts and scents, hardpacked into balls.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49For the store opening, they have developed eight new ones,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53but the delicate purple petals on one are proving tricky.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55As it went in the water, obviously, so the flower came out
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and then we realised we could probably create absolute havoc
0:09:58 > 0:09:59with breakages.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02They are working hard down at Ballistics so that
0:10:02 > 0:10:04there's not too much breakage and how to ship them.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06But they are so beautiful.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10It will be up to the manufacturing team to work out how to
0:10:10 > 0:10:13mass-produce the lotus flower to avoid breakages.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18While they do that, back on Oxford Street, Jen Hilton
0:10:18 > 0:10:21is in charge of fitting out the shop itself.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23We've only got four weeks left of construction,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and seven and a half weeks left until we actually open
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and there's a huge amount to do.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31What's at stake?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- My job! - SHE LAUGHS
0:10:33 > 0:10:36And that job isn't made any easier by an issue
0:10:36 > 0:10:39with the shop's stockroom.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41We were trying to get an external office, which is just adjacent
0:10:41 > 0:10:44to this building, which is easy for access to the front
0:10:44 > 0:10:47and through the back, but we are having landlord
0:10:47 > 0:10:49issues in terms of they're not playing ball
0:10:49 > 0:10:54and don't want to give us that office at the moment, so we have to
0:10:54 > 0:10:56find a solution somehow,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00I just don't know what that is at the moment!
0:11:00 > 0:11:01So it's a real concern,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03real concern.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07With potentially tens of thousands of pounds worth of stock being
0:11:07 > 0:11:12sold every day, the store needs to keep plenty of products in reserve.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Without a stockroom to keep them in, they risk running empty.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19As store manager Claire, who happens to be the boss's daughter,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21is about to find out.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28So we are struggling to secure that external unit.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30But we'll find a way, we've still got time.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36While Claire gets her head round the storage issue, back in Dorset,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40dad Mark is inspecting the store interiors for sign off,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43with Jo and Katie from the design team.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45As you come down the grand staircase there,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48this will be the first product they will see, which is our massage bars.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- That's great.- Yeah, you like that?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Sign off. - OK. Excellent. That's one!
0:11:52 > 0:11:54To lure people into the store,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57they are planning a number of innovative features including
0:11:57 > 0:12:01a spa, cinema, lecture area, hair-washing facilities,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03and a series of music booths.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06So we've got a listening post in here.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09You can try the digital format there and there's where you can play
0:12:09 > 0:12:10- the vinyl.- Yes. Beautiful.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Mark's approval means Jo, Katie
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and the store interior team can get packing.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18We are packing the van... vans...
0:12:18 > 0:12:21to get everything to Oxford Street this evening
0:12:21 > 0:12:25so we can start unloading and start building the shop.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Later, the team tackle a leak...
0:12:28 > 0:12:30No, can't do it.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33..a lack of storage and delicate petals.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- These were falling out before, weren't they?- They were falling out.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Handbags are big business in Britain,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50worth over £1 billion a year in sales.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55Over half the female population of the UK buy at least one handbag
0:12:55 > 0:12:58a year. For Oxford Street it's a key item,
0:12:58 > 0:13:02and shops pay huge rents to sell the premium products.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06One person you wouldn't expect to see shopping for a handbag is this
0:13:06 > 0:13:09man, Dave McKelvie.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10He's a private detective
0:13:10 > 0:13:14and today he's on Oxford Street looking for anyone that might
0:13:14 > 0:13:18try and undermine the legitimate handbag trade by selling fakes.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21He is employed by fashion companies to
0:13:21 > 0:13:24protect their brands from cheap counterfeits and he thinks he's
0:13:24 > 0:13:29spotted someone selling just that right in front of the real things.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33We're looking at a stall which is immediately besides Selfridge's
0:13:33 > 0:13:35that we believe to sell counterfeit goods,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38particularly counterfeit bags, purses.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40He's visited previously
0:13:40 > 0:13:44and seen one of the stores selling what he's convinced were fake bags.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49On a shopping street like Oxford Street this is an absolute no-no.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Today he's back to capture the evidence on camera
0:13:51 > 0:13:55and bring the counterfeit sellers to justice.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57We are going to undertake a test purchase, using
0:13:57 > 0:14:00one of our undercover test purchase operatives, to purchase,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04hopefully, counterfeit goods which we'll confirm when she comes away,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07and at that point we will then consider prosecuting.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10We can't show the investigator's face
0:14:10 > 0:14:14but she is an experienced operative that Dave's used before.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Get as much information as you can from them and see
0:14:17 > 0:14:20if you can identify them in any way, shape or form.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Evidence that, risk assessment's the same. Any problems at all,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27take your sunglasses off and we'll come straight over.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28Right, any problems...
0:14:28 > 0:14:31The investigator has a concealed camera with her.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35It will record as she makes the test purchase of handbags from the store.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38The footage will be vital evidence to prove that counterfeit
0:14:38 > 0:14:41bags are being sold on Oxford Street.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43She'll act as normal.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44She'll just go up
0:14:44 > 0:14:47and be one of the many tourists or people that's
0:14:47 > 0:14:49in Oxford Street today.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54And as she gets closer to the stall, our camera has to hold back,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58but her hidden lens records everything.
0:14:58 > 0:15:04Later, she buys, Dave inspects, and the wheels of justice gets turning.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05It's absolute rubbish.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14HORN HONKS
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Europe's busiest shopping street has been brought to
0:15:16 > 0:15:20a standstill in a protest by drivers of black cabs.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Wall-to-wall taxis along the whole of Oxford Street,
0:15:24 > 0:15:25it's very impressive.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29They're demonstrating against their regulating authority,
0:15:29 > 0:15:30Transport For London.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35And as the hour they've been given to protest ticks on,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37they start to make their presence felt.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39HORNS HONK
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Power to the people! For the taxi trade!
0:15:45 > 0:15:48We're fighting for our rights!
0:15:48 > 0:15:49This is all about enforcement!
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Well over 1,000 cabs. Well over.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54We've all got to stick together.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56We need to do it every week.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Stand up for the black cab drivers!
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- We've been here for over 300 years! - Boris is not listening!
0:16:02 > 0:16:06But while the cabbies are making the most of the occasion,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Claire and the CentreComm team have their work cut out.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12This bus hasn't moved for about ten minutes.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13I wasn't expecting this.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15It was going to be minimal, wasn't it?
0:16:15 > 0:16:17We were told it was going to be minimal, yes.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Dozens of buses with thousands of passengers on board are now
0:16:21 > 0:16:23stuck in gridlock.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25They might just have to sit it out.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Until we can get the roads back, we are sort of stopping people
0:16:28 > 0:16:31getting home, travelling to work.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Commuters are affected hugely today.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37CentreComm control are desperately trying to get them moving again.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40The police are now down here because they are stuck
0:16:40 > 0:16:42behind traffic, so if they can help them turn right
0:16:42 > 0:16:43then that will be fine.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47The pressure is now on the police to try and break the deadlock.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Straight on and to the right, please.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Chief Inspector Manger tries to redirect traffic
0:16:52 > 0:16:54away from Oxford Street.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58But this is unwelcome news to one bus driver.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Who's given me permission to turn right here?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03I'm giving you permission to turn right here and we are
0:17:03 > 0:17:06linking with the bus. At the moment, we have got to clear Oxford Street.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Yes, but I've got to be told to do that.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I can't just do...be told... I've got to be told by...
0:17:10 > 0:17:12CentreComm hasn't...
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I'm sorry, at the moment, you can't stop in the middle of the road.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19If you go around to the left-hand side, you can park up there.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- That's not my route, though. - You need to go over there, madam.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Madam, you need to pull up over there.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32Call them once you've pulled up to the left-hand side.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34If you pull up over there and I'll speak to the Gold Badge.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38The Gold Badge is the senior transport commander on the day,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41also based at CentreComm.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42Have you got the contact for Gold Badge?
0:17:42 > 0:17:46I'm going to have to start putting the buses over to the left-hand side.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48I'm going to get buses totally redirected.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52I'm going put them at the moment into Regent Street to the north.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- OK.- OK? They'll have to park up and they can be redirected from there.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56No problem.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Right, madam, I've just spoken to the Gold Badge people here.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- Where are they?! - Well, I don't know where they are.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I spoke to them and they said, "Did your garage tell you to do that?"
0:18:04 > 0:18:06I said, "No, a policeman did."
0:18:06 > 0:18:09They said, "Can you stay there? Stand by, we'll get back to you."
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Pull up to the left-hand side, please?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Right, OK, we'll speak the Gold Badge to try and sort this out.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18The officer wants me to turn left, my bus doesn't go left,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20my bus goes straight across.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22REPORTER: Are you going to listen to the control centre or...
0:18:22 > 0:18:26I listen to who I work for - London Transport.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30The buses are now refusing to move off their routes.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The dispute with the bus driver reaches CentreComm
0:18:33 > 0:18:36who agree to divert the buses away from the street.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39They wanted to go left into Regent Street, Portland Place,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42go up to Marylebone Road, turn right onto the Euston Road there,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46and then left onto Hampstead Road.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47I'll put a call out. Hold on.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52It's now Ken's job to put out an announcement to every bus in London.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55A demonstration in Oxford Street, Marble Arch.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Please listen out for further calls from CentreComm. Thanks.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03I had an audience there of about 5,000 buses plus all the
0:19:03 > 0:19:07operators in the garages cos that call goes out the whole of London.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09If you include the passengers on board, it is
0:19:09 > 0:19:12probably a couple of hundred thousand.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16And Ken's call has an effect on the ground.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- To the left, he said. - Yes, which will be helpful.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Thank you.- OK. - Thanks a lot.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27OK. So she's got details now from her control
0:19:27 > 0:19:29that she can turn left and, hopefully, that is going to
0:19:29 > 0:19:33alleviate some of the congestion that we've got.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37At Oxford Circus, the centre of the protest, it is still gridlock.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Round to the left, mate. To the left.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44The demonstration is only due to last an hour
0:19:44 > 0:19:46and that time is nearly up.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49As 3pm comes round,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53the police move in to enforce the deadline for the protest.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Problems?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58My understanding was it was due to finish at three, is that correct?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00We're getting the message out to the drivers...
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- That's what we're doing.- OK.- Thank you very much for your help.- OK.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- Can we try and get your guys to keep moving up?- Yeah.- Is that all right?
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Yeah, no problem at all. No problem at all, they've got to.- Thank you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18It's over, boys and girls. It's over, thank you very much.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19It's over.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Well done.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Well done, boys. Thanks very much for your support.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31HORNS BEEP
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Well done, boys.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35All in all, I think went quite well.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38They got there say and they have had their piece
0:20:38 > 0:20:41and they have had plenty of time to do it
0:20:41 > 0:20:44and now it is just about getting the city moving again.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46But with an hour's gridlock to clear,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50it will take some time before the buses are back to normal.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52It is a lovely warm day and I definitely won't want to be
0:20:52 > 0:20:56stuck on a bus, especially if you can't get off, as well.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59That has been there a while, since it started. I think it is a 10.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03It is going to take a bit of working out now,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05what we have actually got going where.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06We are starting to get some movement.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Roads are now starting to reopen in sections.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10The plans that we've placed are coming out
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and we are now looking at a recovery plan.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It is probably going to take an hour to recover, really,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18at least, to start getting services back.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Trevor thinks his protest has been a triumph.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23We have been around for 350 years
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and we will be around another 350 years.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28The boys and girls have demonstrated that today.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I was proud beforehand of being a London cabbie
0:21:30 > 0:21:33but I've never been more proud in my life than I am today.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35HORNS BEEP
0:21:35 > 0:21:38We are going to debrief and what mistakes we have made and how
0:21:38 > 0:21:43we can improve, because we are going to call another one for next month.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59In a week's time, cosmetics maker Lush opens its brand-new
0:21:59 > 0:22:01flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04But at the firm's Dorset factory,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07manufacturing director Liz Smith has come
0:22:07 > 0:22:09to check on another crucial area for the opening.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14The new Oxford Street stuff, where are you doing it?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Liz has come to see if her ballistics boys,
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Mike and Dan, have managed to master mass production of that
0:22:21 > 0:22:25difficult lotus flower bath bomb, a mixture of fizzy bath salts and oils
0:22:25 > 0:22:28hard-packed into a ball.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Are they working out better, then, Mike?
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Yeah, they're marking out a lot better. We have revised the formula.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36That was the main point,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38every single gap you have to really push in.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Cos these were falling out before, weren't they?
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Yeah, they were falling out, crumbling off on the edges.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46But they were just... We want them to come out in the bath,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49but they were just coming out straightaway.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51So you need to get a bit of coverage on the outside.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Are they going to be ready by tomorrow to get up to Oxford Street?
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- We will let you know in the morning. - It is go, go, go, basically.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I can't stress enough now that every minute, hour counts.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Liz's sign-off means the products can start shipping to London,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08which is a worry for Jen.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10She is busy fitting the shop out
0:23:10 > 0:23:13but there is still no sign of the external stockroom,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16which means she has got room for only a fraction
0:23:16 > 0:23:19of Mike and Dan's bath bombs.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22It completely changes how we would work with this building
0:23:22 > 0:23:25and the sales and the functionality of it, in terms of stock.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27There is no space for stock.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29At the moment it just doesn't work,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31so we have to try and find a solution.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34For Jen, things are stressful enough as it is
0:23:34 > 0:23:36without other unforeseen problems.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42We have sprung a leak in the pipework that has already
0:23:42 > 0:23:46filled up, so it has flooded through into the basement bit.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48So we are just trying to fix it.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50We are going to find a way to cut the pipe,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52get the water out so we can solder it
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and we are not having a lot of success at the moment.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59And everybody is worried.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03There could be about 60 litres of water in that pipe.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05They need to drain the system,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09but with the shop-fitting nearly complete, that's not easy.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12All the ceilings are up, everything is covered in,
0:24:12 > 0:24:13so we can't get to everything.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14So...
0:24:16 > 0:24:17..it's a problem.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20I'm not sure that's going to work.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24No, can't do it.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Later, can the team get the store ready for the grand opening
0:24:27 > 0:24:30and a visit from a rock superstar?
0:24:39 > 0:24:41As Europe's busiest shopping street,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Oxford Street's road surface takes a pounding.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Every day thousands of cars, buses and taxis make
0:24:49 > 0:24:54journeys down its length and every evening, legions of supply trucks
0:24:54 > 0:24:58pile down its side streets to keep the shops fully stocked.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02This constant flow of heavy vehicles, combined with the British weather,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06means all too often the tarmac can become prone to potholes.
0:25:08 > 0:25:09And that matters.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14Potholes can cause damage to cars and accidents to cyclists.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18It is why local authorities in London spend over £25 million a year
0:25:18 > 0:25:21filling them, which is what these guys do.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Further strength reduction of Oxford Street.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26If you want to give that to the gang and brief them?
0:25:26 > 0:25:29They're part of Westminster Council's pothole team,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32assembled to make sure the streets of the West End of London are kept
0:25:32 > 0:25:35roadworthy and up to scratch.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Alan is heading up the team today.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43I've done the job for about 30 years. Keeps me busy, keeps me fit.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It definitely keeps me out of trouble!
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Alan's team have been called in for an emergency fix.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57There is a pothole on an Oxford Street side road
0:25:57 > 0:25:59that needs urgent attention.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04It is one of the busiest places that we work.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06It is constant, it is 24 hours.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10The team arrive. First job is to identify the pothole.
0:26:12 > 0:26:13What is it, that pothole?
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- That there, yeah.- What, this?
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It might not look like much,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23but it is vital the team fix this kind of surface damage, and fast.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26In this state, it will deteriorate quickly.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30A cyclist may have come off there, or some sort of accident.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33That is why we are here to put it right.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34So let's crack on and get it done.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Alan and the team swing into action.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46In Westminster, the number of pothole fixes required
0:26:46 > 0:26:52has risen 40% in the first three years due to some bad winters.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57A major road like Oxford Street can't afford to leave holes lying around.
0:26:57 > 0:26:58It is so important,
0:26:58 > 0:27:03Westminster Council has invested over £1 million in new state-of-the-art
0:27:03 > 0:27:07equipment to fix potholes more quickly and efficiently.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Meet the Rhinopatch heater.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- Is that the lighter?- Yeah. - All right, glasses on, yeah?
0:27:13 > 0:27:17The machine works like a giant grill, melting the road surface
0:27:17 > 0:27:19until it becomes malleable.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Unlike traditional fixes, it doesn't leave a join
0:27:43 > 0:27:46between the old road surface and the new one.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49It is this join that is more likely to crack
0:27:49 > 0:27:50in traditional pothole fixes.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09The new fixes will last for the lifetime of the surrounding
0:28:09 > 0:28:14road surface, instead of up to four years for the old ones.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17That done, Alan gets his big moment.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28Chips are added to strengthen the surface. Then it is rolled again.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35We spray it because it gives it a longer life.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37And with that, the job is complete.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39There we go.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43In less than two hours they have dug up and re-laid the pothole.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48It has all gone to plan and we can open the road up and traffic
0:28:48 > 0:28:50and pedestrians can cross with ease now.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54All right, well done, lads, good job. On to the next job.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Oxford Street, meanwhile, will be one depression less.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00For now.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Outside a major department store,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15a secret shopper is heading to a nearby stall.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20She is secretly filming on behalf of private detective David McKelvey
0:29:20 > 0:29:22to see to see if fakes are on sale.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29And at the stall, she soon notices a brown bag
0:29:29 > 0:29:31with the telltale Mulberry tree logo.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35This bag, known as the Mulberry Bayswater,
0:29:35 > 0:29:39is legitimately on sale around the corner for £900.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51The man has now been captured on film openly selling the bags as Mulberrys.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02And with that done, the investigator can report back to Dave.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04What have we got here?
0:30:04 > 0:30:06So, the tan Mulberry bag.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Tree logo, branded bag on display
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and he has that in black and tan.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It is absolute rubbish.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19With just one look, Dave is convinced this isn't Mulberry.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20It is a counterfeit.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25It would fall apart after a few weeks. It is not leather.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27Following his examination,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31Dave is satisfied that the purchased items are fakes.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Effectively, the stall has committed a criminal offence in selling
0:30:36 > 0:30:40those bags. Fake goods openly on sale on Oxford Street.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43We will bag them up now in evidence bags,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47I will take the recording off you and I'll put it in an evidence bag.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51The evidence will be secured, statements will be written.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53The whole thing will be put together as a criminal file
0:30:53 > 0:30:56and as a result of that we will go to Trading Standards
0:30:56 > 0:30:58and the police with that evidence.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Dave roots out fakes on behalf of companies across the UK.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07In the last 15 months, he has successfully convicted 177 sellers.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Massive, massive, massive business. Huge business.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15Costs the government, costs the European economy vast sums of money.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18It's involving human trafficking, it has all sorts of issues
0:31:18 > 0:31:21and the back end of it is you have got criminals who are making
0:31:21 > 0:31:24huge sums of money out of this.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27And since we filmed, there was a successful prosecution
0:31:27 > 0:31:31against the stallholder selling the fake Mulberry handbag.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33He was given a £1,000 fine
0:31:33 > 0:31:38and the court ordered the destruction of the counterfeit bags.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41For Dave, it is a lesson to anyone trying to undermine
0:31:41 > 0:31:45the legitimate trade on the country's most important shopping street.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49It is a big tourist area and we have got tourists coming to the UK
0:31:49 > 0:31:51and they are walking down Oxford Street, one of our most
0:31:51 > 0:31:54high-profile streets, and they are seeing counterfeit goods.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58It is another day at the office for Dave, but he and his operatives will
0:31:58 > 0:32:03be back on Oxford Street soon, even if the rest of us are none the wiser.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14It is the early hours of the morning
0:32:14 > 0:32:19and James Burns is getting ready for his day's work on Oxford Street.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Clear as you like.
0:32:22 > 0:32:2513 degrees, sunrise 6.05.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Time now, four o'clock.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31And there is a reason James is paying such close attention
0:32:31 > 0:32:33to the sunrise time.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38He is a professional photographer, specialising in pictures of skylines.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42And today, he has received his dream commission.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45A property developer wants him to capture some images of
0:32:45 > 0:32:48the sunrise over one of their buildings -
0:32:48 > 0:32:51iconic '60s skyscraper, Centre Point.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54I think the skill, really, in getting a good shot
0:32:54 > 0:32:56is knowing the weather.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00You know, knowing when to expect clear skies.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Even more interesting, to be honest, is knowing when to expect
0:33:03 > 0:33:06the right type of cloud that is going to bring you
0:33:06 > 0:33:07a really colourful scene.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11And after that, I think it is all just in the eye.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14The images will be used in the company's promotional material
0:33:14 > 0:33:18and to capture the moment, James has been waiting patiently
0:33:18 > 0:33:21for days for the perfect atmospheric conditions.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25This morning, he has got to make sure he is bang on time.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28If you want to do sunrise, you have got to get there an hour early,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31so that it is just starting to become twilight.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34When we get there, the lights of Oxford Street will be visible
0:33:34 > 0:33:37probably within 20 minutes or so. The light will begin to get bright
0:33:37 > 0:33:40even about 45 minutes before sunrise.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45James has been commissioned by developer Almacantar.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49They are redeveloping Centre Point at the east end of Oxford Street.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50But to get that shot,
0:33:50 > 0:33:54he has got to get six miles across London from his flat first.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58That gives us 45 minutes to get from here to Marble Arch.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01A bit of a squeeze!
0:34:01 > 0:34:04To get the best picture James need to be high up,
0:34:04 > 0:34:05and the developer is letting him
0:34:05 > 0:34:10access another of its Oxford Street buildings, the Marble Arch Tower.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13The problem for James is it's a mile and a half down the other end
0:34:13 > 0:34:17of the street and the time and light are not on his side.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Twilight has started. I'll put a little sprint in.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22Come on, man!
0:34:24 > 0:34:27It's not a short road. It's too long to run it with all this gear.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Could get a Boris Bike.
0:34:31 > 0:34:32I think I see our bus.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39That's where we're going, look.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- It is waiting for us. - He has made it to the building.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Now all he's got to do is make it up to the roof,
0:34:44 > 0:34:4724 storeys above the ground.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Morning, mate.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52If he can get past security.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57A little bit of a hurry, yeah, just to get the right photograph.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00We are trying to get the right shot from up top.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02I've got the e-mail here if you want, mate.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06OK, thank you, sir. Thank you.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12- The sun doesn't wait. The sun is always on time.- Yes!
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Whether he can outrun the sun, we will find out later.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Handmade cosmetics chain Lush is getting ready for the star-studded
0:35:27 > 0:35:31opening of its brand-new flagship store on Oxford Street.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It is their biggest ever - over three floors -
0:35:34 > 0:35:37and it is taking a massive company-wide effort to prepare.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41They have only got two days before the grand store opening,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43featuring rock legend Brian May.
0:35:44 > 0:35:49But before any of that happens, Jen has got problems in the basement.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Plumber Bob is on the case.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Any luck?
0:35:54 > 0:35:57We are waiting for some fittings to actually just redo the pipe...
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Oh, here we are.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02So, here's the pipes now. The weakest link in the chain,
0:36:02 > 0:36:03that's it.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12I'm not jumping for joy just yet.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Right, here we go. So if I just turn these on...
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- Yay, we've got water! - Yes, finally!
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Success.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27PHONE RINGS And it looks like Jen's luck has turned.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31There is good news about the all-important external stockroom.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Bye.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35That was Martin, our estates manager,
0:36:35 > 0:36:40and he has just picked up the keys for the external office.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43Massive deal, really happy.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45After you.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50One careful owner.
0:36:50 > 0:36:56One empty, messy space ready to be fitted out for stock and staff.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00And just in time, because company boss Mark is on hand to view
0:37:00 > 0:37:04the new store he is about to hand over to daughter Claire to manage.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06We're just going to be doing some last-minute tweaks
0:37:06 > 0:37:09and seeing what bits and pieces aren't quite right,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11that just need a little bit of alteration before we open
0:37:11 > 0:37:13the doors tomorrow morning.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16He started the company from scratch 20 years ago
0:37:16 > 0:37:19and he has finally made it to Oxford Street.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22To have this kind of position on Oxford Street
0:37:22 > 0:37:28and to have this opportunity to show off to so many people
0:37:28 > 0:37:31our talents and to have them interested is a great privilege.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35It all becomes a bit too much.
0:37:36 > 0:37:37Yes!
0:37:37 > 0:37:39LAUGHTER
0:37:40 > 0:37:41Just made Mark cry.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47- Happy tears.- Yeah, it's very, very good. I love it.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49It is good he's happy.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50Finally!
0:37:54 > 0:37:56For Jen and the rest of the team
0:37:56 > 0:37:59it is vindication for all their hard work.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02That was a big, big relief for everyone.
0:38:02 > 0:38:03There has been a few tears
0:38:03 > 0:38:06and there has been some really great moments
0:38:06 > 0:38:08and there has been, obviously, frustrations,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12but really, really overjoyed with how it's looking.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14All that is left to do is open up.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Members of staff from across the chain
0:38:18 > 0:38:19have been invited to take a look.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24And that includes, all the way from the Dorset factory,
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Mike and Dan, who were in charge of production of the bath bombs.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32So, we are holding the lotus flower
0:38:32 > 0:38:34and it has made it in one piece to Oxford Street!
0:38:34 > 0:38:36I have only got round the first floor
0:38:36 > 0:38:39and already I am beaming from ear to ear, and I don't smile a lot.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42So for me it's a massive, massive achievement,
0:38:42 > 0:38:44so very, very happy boy.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47For the main opening there is something a bit special planned.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51They are expecting a royal visit. Well, almost.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Brian May is coming because we have got a May Day bath bomb
0:38:55 > 0:38:57which is in the shape of a badger.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00We sell those - to him and others - for money.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02The badger bath bomb, very useful device.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08Both Brian May and Lush are major animal rights campaigners
0:39:08 > 0:39:11and the Queen guitarist is planning to cash in on the store opening
0:39:11 > 0:39:15to get publicity for a march he's leading to Parliament.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19Lush has become an incredible icon in fighting for decency,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and particularly in fighting for animal welfare and animal rights.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25All the work that I have done over the years has given me a visibility
0:39:25 > 0:39:29and a presence and I feel that I have to use that responsibly
0:39:29 > 0:39:31and that is what this is about.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Time to open the store and start the march.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39This is our new store.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Obviously we are delighted to be hosting this rally
0:39:42 > 0:39:44and march from here on the first day
0:39:44 > 0:39:49and it is so delightful to have Brian and everybody here.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Let's march on Westminster!
0:39:51 > 0:39:53CHEERING
0:39:55 > 0:39:59And so, for both Brian and Lush, Oxford Street, it begins.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01So, we have arrived in Oxford Street.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05I can't imagine a nicer way to launch the shop, I really can't.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06I hope everyone approves.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Photographer James is still stuck at security,
0:40:21 > 0:40:26trying to get up 24 floors to take a panoramic shot of Oxford Street.
0:40:28 > 0:40:29A little bit of a hurry, yeah.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33But it is sunrise in 15 minutes and time is running out.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35There's a lot of people that you need to go through in order
0:40:35 > 0:40:38to get, you know, the authorisation to get up on the roof.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I have been here before, so I was expecting that it would happen
0:40:41 > 0:40:43a little bit faster than this, but...
0:40:45 > 0:40:50Finally the supervisor arrives and James gets the all-clear to head up.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56This key here is the key to the best view that you get
0:40:56 > 0:40:57over Oxford Street.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00This and Centre Point are the two the best views
0:41:00 > 0:41:01you get in the West End, full stop.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15Oh, it's beautiful. Look, the moon's out as well. Oh!
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Oh, that's beautiful. Right.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25James gets to work capturing one of the most breathtaking views
0:41:25 > 0:41:27the capital has to offer.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29It's actually got brighter already
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and I've only been here five minutes.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40You can see the area to the left of frame is starting to get...
0:41:40 > 0:41:42starting to get quite red now.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44That is where the sun is going to come up, so hopefully
0:41:44 > 0:41:48I will get the shot of the sun as it passes over Oxford Street.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55That will do. We are all set.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Three minutes.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05I am expecting to see any minute now the first little red tip
0:42:05 > 0:42:07appear over the horizon.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12There's the sun.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20When you get out of bed at three o'clock in the morning,
0:42:20 > 0:42:22as soon as you see the sun come up over the horizon,
0:42:22 > 0:42:24I am beaming with energy and...
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Oh, this is... Come on. Look at that.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34There we go. Right, I'm looking straight down Oxford Street now.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35Oh...
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Centre Point is looking cool with its new coat.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Oh, look at that! Come on.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45What a view, man, what a view.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49Oh, it's so relaxing.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Honestly, it is the best way to start your day.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55You know, normally I don't have anybody bothering me -
0:42:55 > 0:42:58got the whole place to myself. A view of the city that I love
0:42:58 > 0:43:01coming to life, everybody starting to run around
0:43:01 > 0:43:04and do their thing and bring the city to life and make it what it is.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07And as James's working day ends,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11another is just beginning on Europe's busiest shopping street.