Westminster Council says parts of Oxford Street are "scruffy".

Council leader Sir Simon Milton said the authority was prepared to use Compulsory Purchase Orders to revamp the renowned shopping district.

West End visitors should have an unique experience that goes beyond "Big Macs and pints of lager" he said.

Sir Simon speaking at the London Retail Summit on Tuesday.

He said: "We need to be seen as more female and family friendly, with exciting stores like the revamped Selfridges, the Crown Estate's ambitious makeover of Regent Street and the unrivalled class of Bond Street. "

War declared

Describing the eastern end of the Oxford Street, near Tottenham Court Road as "scruffy and neglected", he has argued the area needs to be revamped.

In particular, Sir Milton declared a war against souvenir and gift shops that have sprung up.

"The reason why this end of Oxford Street has never really matched the Selfridges end is because the ownership of all the buildings here is very fragmented, so its hard to assemble large enough sites to do big retail developments," Sir Milton commented.

The council plans to promote a wider range of shops and restaurants to avoid it being cloned like the other High Streets across the country.