Piccadilly Circus

[Haddington]

While browsing the Westminster Council website today I noticed that 3 planning applications for new illuminated adverts had been rejected. The applications were for the London Pavillion (which was plastered in adverts until the late 70s) and now part of the Trocadero.

http://idocs.westminster.gov.uk:8080...e=&pageCount=3

I was disappointed by the rejection so phoned the planning dept and the person said that as a listed building they would never allow adverts on this building or indeed any other in the area.

I protested at this saying that this is what PC was known for world wide and he replied that Westminster is known worldwide for it's heritage and therefore a balance had to be struck which meant limiting the hoardings to the one corner site they currently occupy.

I still think it's a missed opportunity as I preferred the look of PC when the signs were not limied to one corner. I hope Clear Channel appeal. What do others think??

[eXSBass]

If you look at old PC it's amazing. We need to restore it to it's former glory.

[eddyk]

I know people scorn at Times Square, but to actually be there is amazing.

Its a visual spectacle of light.

They could at least put another billboard on top of the coke one.

[Leeds No.1]

I agree, more billboards and adverts should be allowed. The screen on the corner of Haymarket balances it a bit, but more screens are needed.

[potto]

You should have mentioned the shockingly bad traffic reconfiguration that went hand in hand with this conservative removal of lights.

The only decent bit of Piccadilly Circus is the view looking at the bottom of Regents Street and the Life Assurance building. The rest should be filled with lights.

Shaftsbury Avenue is also all the poorer for its reducation in illuminations.

[.Adam]

Shaftesbury avenue should be the pinnacle of the West End, its the heart of theatre land and yet it is lacking any grandeur or glitz, London has some of the most beautiful theatres in the world yet it is let down at night time due its lack of lighting.
That proposed extra screen would have been a big step in the right direction towards lighting up Piccadilly as it should be.

[delores]

and sort out the pavements around piccadilly too, Westminster havent done anything there since the 80's and its just plain tacky.

[The Sage]

Originally Posted by Haddington

While browsing the Westminster Council website today I noticed that 3 planning applications for new illuminated adverts had been rejected. The applications were for the London Pavillion (which was plastered in adverts until the late 70s) and now part of the Trocadero.

http://idocs.westminster.gov.uk:8080...e=&pageCount=3

I was disappointed by the rejection so phoned the planning dept and the person said that as a listed building they would never allow adverts on this building or indeed any other in the area.

I protested at this saying that this is what PC was known for world wide and he replied that Westminster is known worldwide for it's heritage and therefore a balance had to be struck which meant limiting the hoardings to the one corner site they currently occupy.

I still think it's a missed opportunity as I preferred the look of PC when the signs were not limied to one corner. I hope Clear Channel appeal. What do others think??

I agree with you. How many people do they think come to Piccadilly Circus to gaze at the listed buildings of the Trocadero, compared to how many come for the hustle and bustle and lights and entertainment? Well done to you for calling them and disputing their decision.

You might as well have EH running the show at Westminster for all the difference it would make.

[johnt_gr]

Piccadilly circus looked so amazing in the past! It looked so Times sq back then! Now there is only one corner in the bottom of Regent street occupied with screens, just to remind you PC's former neon glory.

[wawd]

anyone got any pics of the old PC, i'd love to see one...

[The Sage]

[Tony Resta]

Woah that was much more vibrant, love it.

[wawd]

great photo thanks, certainly more vibrant. funny looking at what was advertised back then ...

[Madman]

^ well its not that old! look at the cars (ignore the routemasters and blackcabs - they always look old) and the fact they're advertising a concert by Tom Jones.

[Munch]

That image looks just like how many developing cities look today - such as Mumbai.

[Officer Dibble]

Certainly colourful, but I prefer it without the neon - the buildings are good enough not to be covered up.

[Officer Dibble]

Originally Posted by Madman

^ well its not that old! look at the cars (ignore the routemasters and blackcabs - they always look old) and the fact they're advertising a concert by Tom Jones.

That'll be the 1963 film adaptation of Tom Jones (the Fielding novel).

[Black Cat]

I have to admit this is a challenge, and I agree with those that despite all the qualities of the architecture at Piccadilly Circus, what made it so memorable is that it is such a focus of activity reinforced by the illuminated adverts. Perhaps there should be a look at returning some more illuminations, though rather than covering the facades, to mount them above the parapets or to build tall advertising towers above some of the buildings on which iluminated signs can be mounted akin to Times Square, Tokyo, or has been recently undertaken at Yonge Street, Toronto. Perhaps some forumers could do a little graphic exercise to explore the visual impact - could be fun?

[Isaac Newell]

The trouble with illuminated adverts is that they are costly to change, unlike a paper bill. Unless they put up a big screen that can be programmed, there's no real demand from advertisers.

The trouble with the big screen is that they completely block out the building they are fixed to and are bad for the environment due to their high electricity consumption.

[Vodski Bandit]

That 60s photo is increadible. What I also really like apart from the obvious advertising is the apparent lack of street clutter, just the lamp posts and a few traffic lights, much better