Leicester Square

[Skyscraperkid2K4]

i think London could do with one good distract with neon/lcd screens, much like tokyo and New York. Im not saying because they have it we must have it, its just i've been in that atomosphere and its amazing, breath taking to say the least.

[wjfox]

There was an article in the Standard recently which suggested an "experiment" that should be tried in London - i.e. having loads more neon and bright lights along the main roads in the West End, for a year, to see what people thought of it.

I, for one, would be completely in favour of it.

[Dan1987]

That would be cool, it'd be like Tokyo! Also they should put some large TV screen somewhere with a news channel on it, the Reuters screens don't seem flashy enough at the moment.

[potto]

I think Shaftsbury Ave is definitely one street that should have the experiment tried on it... if you compare the street to how it looked 40 years ago it has turned into a dark almost desolate place by comparison! Which is crazy seeing how it links Soho with picc circus, cchina town and leics sq... then to covent garden further down, quite a roll call of destinations but the actual experience is very poor and often you would not choose to walk down it. It even holds its own attractions, theatres, cinemas, shops and restaurants

[Mr Bricks]

Remember, piccadilly is well-known for it´s neon lights, that´s the main part why its a tourist attraction.

[Mr Bricks]

If there are more neon lights and buildings planned for Leicester square, when is it gonna happen?

[JDRS]

Originally Posted by wjfox2002

There was an article in the Standard recently which suggested an "experiment" that should be tried in London - i.e. having loads more neon and bright lights along the main roads in the West End, for a year, to see what people thought of it.

I, for one, would be completely in favour of it.

I seem to remember something else similar to this being on BBC London news a while back relating to lighting around the theatre district; particularly in relation to street lights.

Can't find the bloody article though?

[wjfox]

I think I may have posted it in City Talk.

[wjfox]

I was right. Here it is:- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=301375

[pricemazda]

I think its a shame they removed the neon from the Trocadero. They should put boards up on the top of buildings if they don't want to ruin the facades.

Piccadilly is a poor example of neon. I agree with shaftsbry, it needs to be much more like Broadway. Soho needs ot be pedestrianised, and gay business encouraged onto compton st, and the streets between shaftesbury ave and compton st.

I think there should be a single council covering central London. Westminster are showing such a lack of imagination. Its run by people who live in Pimlico and Kensington, and they hate pubs,bars and people. The gay village is already moving to Vauxhall as it is, and Westminsters anti-gay stance is ruining a major tourist attraction. Its odd Totally London, runs ad campaigns all over the world celebrating gay london/soho but westminster seem intent on killing it.

Maybe Ken should get control over central London.

[potto]

I completely agree with Westminister losing control over the West End, I think Ken should set up a new authority or maybe have a collective of representatives from the different locales, from businesses to residents and users.

[pricemazda]

Well the West End is split between Camden, City and Westminster. There isn't a single authority covering it.

But Westminster have no vision at all. They hate people having fun.

Did you know not a single establishment in Soho and Covent Garden have been awarded a longer license?

[Mr Bricks]

Originally Posted by SuomiPoika

If there are more neon lights and buildings planned for Leicester square, when is it gonna happen?

Anyone?

[potto]

It is also frustrating with the lack of innovative urban schemes which is becoming increasingly glaringly obvious; you would think it would be an obvious mechanism to help such a fast-paced competitive area.

Westminister are too concerned with conservation, which doesnt quite cut it in the entertainment and retail heart of London, desperately trying to compete at a local, national and international level. I walk around the West End a lot and love the place but often I get the nagging thought that it is close to running on empty.

[london lad]

Originally Posted by pricemazda

Well the West End is split between Camden, City and Westminster. There isn't a single authority covering it.

But Westminster have no vision at all. They hate people having fun.

Did you know not a single establishment in Soho and Covent Garden have been awarded a longer license?

Not strictly true- my brother runs a pub in covent garden got a late license along with a few otheres, but they did have to do a lot og leg work to get it.

However I think Westminister brought in a rule for Soho where you can only open a new bar/pub if one has closed down.

[pricemazda]

Stringfellows, are taking them to court.

Which pub, as it could be in Camden, not all of Covent Garden is in Westminster.

[london lad]

marquis of anglessy on Bow lane oppo the opera house. Its a youngs pub. Youngs put in application for all there pubs which got originaly rejected but overturned when they appealed.

[DarJoLe]

Originally Posted by SuomiPoika

Anyone?

Who knows. Before the Olympics I'd guess.

[JDRS]

I used to think that all of the West End was under one borough and it would make sense but having several different councils controlling it doesn't make any sense at all. Ken...

[Mr Bricks]

Originally Posted by DarJoLe

Remember the new Leicetser Square will have screens embedded in the pavement running around it's edge.

Any renderings? Hopefully it will be something similar to the new dundas square building in Toronto although the design of the building could be better.