The story of Regent Street is neatly encapsulated by three stores along the sweeping shopping avenue, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of its naming this year.

Exhibit one is H&M Home, which opened a 7,000 sq ft flagship store earlier this year, complete with in-store florist, café and event area. Meanwhile, Reliance Brands – owned by Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani – has agreed to purchase the 259-year-old toy store chain Hamleys, securing its future, and Microsoft will open its first UK store at the top of Regent Street, at Oxford Circus, on 11 July.

These high-profile deals on Regent Street come at a time when Oxford Street has been dogged by problems facing long-term tenants including Arcadia – Miss Selfridge is to close – as well as Monsoon, Accessorize and Debenhams.