By Ross Lydall

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More details have been unveiled of the car-free day in Oxford Street that Sir Sadiq Khan hopes will showcase his long-term pedestrianisation scheme.

The mayor believes the landmark free event, from midday until 8pm on Sunday September 21, will demonstrate to Londoners and businesses how removing traffic from part of the nation’s most famous high street will restore its world-class status.

Sir Sadiq is also in the process of recruiting an ‘Oxford St tsar”, with a £200,000 salary on offer for the executive able to lead the mayoral development corporation that will oversee the proposed changes.

The car-free “This is Oxford Street” event will mean the street will be closed to all traffic from Orchard Street to Oxford Circus.

This will allow the road surface to be used for art installations, a children’s literary festival, an “urban forest”, sports pitches, chill out zones, live performances and food and drink stalls.

Prominent retailers are backing the event, including Schuh, Holland & Barrett, Topshop, John Lewis and The Body Shop, which will each host “interactive” events.

The day is also being supported by the US basketball organisation the NBA, Major League Baseball and charitable non-profit organisation Choose Love.

More than 30 retailers on Oxford Street will be offering offers, deals and vouchers.

There will be live music, including DJs, acoustic sets and performances from acts on three stages and an exhibition of the history of Oxford Street.

Sir Sadiq said: “’This is Oxford Street’ is going to be a landmark, free event open for everyone and will showcase the nation’s high street as you have never seen it before, offering a glimpse of what it could look like in the future.

“From food and drink from different cultures to live main stage music, to a Literary Festival for children and action-packed activations from major brands, shops and event partners, it is going to be a fantastic day.

“As Mayor, I have pledged to pedestrianise Oxford Street and I am determined to unlock its true potential to deliver a world-class, accessible, clean street for everyone as we build a better, greener and safer London for all.”

Leila Tambling, retail operations director, The Body Shop, said it had been on Oxford Street for 39 years, and has a second store due to open soon.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the ‘This is Oxford Street’ event and can’t wait to see the street come to life in a whole new way,” she said.