UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on May 20, 2023 19:29:58 GMT
Monarchy makeover for some London buses
I haven't seen any of these buses yet:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on May 31, 2023 18:34:45 GMT
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jun 8, 2023 18:24:58 GMT
Whatever happened to Oxford Street?
Oxford Street used to be a major destination for shoppers, but it has declined enormously in recent years. Many big names, including some department stores, have gone. Many of the smaller shops have their shutters permanently pulled down. There isn't much to go there for now. Westminster Council had big plans for the regeneration of Oxford Street, but they have very wisely scaled them down. The street was to have been pedestrianised, but this scheme has been abandoned. Typical sights in the Oxford Street of today:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jun 9, 2023 19:10:26 GMT
US-style candy stores in Oxford Street
Oxford Street has been invaded by around 30 tacky, overpriced, gaudy American-style candy stores and souvenir shops. These eyesore shops sell counterfeit goods and are alleged to be fronts for money-laundering operations. They allegedly owe millions in business rates too. Westminster Council are on the case. They have seized over £1 million of counterfeit goods and are trying to put a stop to the operation of these shops. A typical store and its contents:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jul 27, 2023 18:31:29 GMT
Street art tribute to Terry Pratchett
Discworld creator Terry Pratchett died in March 2015. Street artists soon produced a memorial in the form of a mural in London's Brick Lane. It included a portrait of 'Pterry' and his famous character Death:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jul 30, 2023 18:16:04 GMT
Rabbits in St. James's Square
I visited St. James's Square recently for the first time in ages. I saw a group of six magpies there, which reminded me of magpiejack ! I was surprised to see that the garden was full of big, and rather sinister, rabbit sculptures. They are the work of Sophie Ryder.
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Aug 15, 2023 18:15:48 GMT
The terrible state of Oxford Street
Oxford Street is hardly worth visiting now. Key questions are, what is it like, how did it get like that and what, if anything, can be done about it? Although Selfridges is still there, many big names have gone and the nearby flagship Marks and Spencer may close down now that the planning application to demolish and rebuild has been rejected. The M & S deco store that was in danger of demolition:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Sept 20, 2023 18:36:56 GMT
No giant garden for Oxford Street now
One of the many schemes to revitalise Oxford Street was for it to be pedestrianised and made into one big green space with many trees and plants. This particular plan is no longer being considered. Perhaps the spectacular failure of the Mound project is partly responsible. An artist's impression of what might have been:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Sept 24, 2023 17:17:09 GMT
The latest plans for Oxford Street
Consultation is now in progress in connection with Westminster Council's plans to provide a major face-lift for Oxford Street and regenerate the whole area. More seating, more trees and other greenery, enhanced lighting, improved signage and more space for pedestrians are proposed enhancements to the public realm. The estimated cost of the makeover is £90 million. Some critics feel that this does not go far enough. It is the shops that will attract the visitors, but one in five is empty. There is a rise in crime and litter, and the cheap candy stores are not worth going there for.
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Sept 26, 2023 17:23:53 GMT
Rent-free shops in Oxford Street
Small, innovative, cutting-edge and emerging-brand businesses are being invited to apply for some of the empty shops in Oxford Street. They will get 6 months rent free occupancy and a reduction in business rates of at least 70%. This seems like desperation to me! Still, anything is better than Oxford Street's rows of shuttered small shops:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Sept 27, 2023 18:06:10 GMT
The past glory of Oxford Street
Oxford Street now has many negative associations. In the past, it was the place to be for serious spenders. Christmas shoppers outside John Lewis in 1926:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Oct 14, 2023 6:48:57 GMT
London's Wild Table of Love
I saw an interesting bronze animal sculpture in Paddington recently. I learned that it is called The Wild Table of Love and that it was a temporary art installation near St. Paul's Cathedral last year. The animals will be staying in Paddington until next May:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Oct 19, 2023 18:15:27 GMT
Oxford Street: wider and greener by 2026
Improvements to Oxford Street are definitely going ahead, although the most ambitious and costly plans have been abandoned. Mayor Sadiq Khan still wants to see the street pedestrianised, but that is unlikely to happen now. Westminster Council has declared war on the tacky gift and candy shops that opened during the lockdown: fake and dangerous goods have been seized and business rate arrears have been demanded. The number of these shops has already been reduced from 30 to 21, with more closures to come. I wonder what the reclaimed, rejuvenated Oxford Street will look like. No matter what happens at ground level, the Christmas lights are usually worth going to see:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Nov 4, 2023 18:25:42 GMT
Must-see murals at Charing Cross Station
Artist David Gentleman designed some mediaeval-style murals for the Northern Line platforms at Charing Cross Station. They depict stonemasons and other workmen constructing the original cross. They are well worth a special visit:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Dec 15, 2023 19:23:35 GMT
The Temperance Billiard Halls of London
I saw an interesting building recently, did some research and discovered an aspect of London that was new to me. As part of the temperance movement, which battled against the demon drink, a company that was founded in 1906 built around 24 halls in London where non-drinkers could meet and play billiards. These halls provided a non-alcoholic alternative to pubs. Some of these halls are now Grade II listed. Some of them are now pubs! This former Temperance Billiard Hall is in Clapham:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Dec 23, 2023 12:27:20 GMT
An unusual London mosque
London has many mosques of all kinds of sizes and styles. The Aziziye Mosque in Stoke Newington in north London is unusual in that it is a former cinema. This building was constructed in 1914 and converted into a mosque in the 1980s:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Feb 19, 2024 18:20:47 GMT
What a way to advertise a skincare product!
It all happens in London! Beauty company The Ordinary floated a giant sculpture of one of its products down the Thames recently to advertise a relaunch. Tower Bridge opened to let it through:
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