Visit London has signed a letter of intent with The Crown Estate for a 10-year letting agreement to establish its first ‘visitor showcase’ at the planned Quadrant Development, near Regent Street in London.

Totalling 400sq m (4,300sq ft) over the ground and first floors of the Regent Hotel Palace block, the drop-in centre will occupy a corner position at the junction of Glasshouse Street and Sherwood Street, just off of Piccadilly Circus.

Its purpose is to help visitors orientate themselves around the city; provide inspiration and information about what to do in London and allow visitors to download itineraries through the latest technologies.

James Bidwell, chief executive of Visit London, said: “Our new centre will further build on the success Visit London has had in increasing tourist numbers to London by nearly 10 per cent last year, and will be one of the most inspirational visitor centres in the world.”

The Quadrant Development is part of The Crown Estate’s £500m initiative to revamp Regent Street and also includes plans for the regeneration of the Café Royal and the Regent Palace Hotel.

The centre, if plans go ahead, would be ready in 2011.