Monthly Archives: November 2022

What can you do with an empty museum? Get creative

Update: the Barbican Quarter Action campaign is hosting a meeting for residents and neighbours at 7pm on Tuesday 17th January 2023 in St Giles Church, Cripplegate. The Barbican Association reports: “This meeting will focus on the arguments against demolition of the existing buildings and for their re-adaptation and repurposing. Joining the BQA Group will be read more »

Culture Mile changes as Destination City sets out plans

For the past five years Culture Mile has been a programme of activities and projects in the north west of the City, a way of branding the area, and a team coordinating development. Some of that is changing, but quite how much won’t be clear for a few months. City Corporation committees have now approved read more »

Developing a Museum of the Streets as the Museum of London closes

In December 2022 the Museum of London closes after 45 years on the edge of the Barbican estate, and prepares for a move to former market buildings in West Smithfield. Here’s news of a family festival at the Museum November 27&27 and a music festival December 3&4 The new museum promises to be amazing – read more »

The Elizabeth Line works both ways for the City

The other day I received in the post a lavish publication from the Canary Wharf Group with 30 pages of promised treats from new restaurants, bars, shops and leisure experiences to penthouse flats for sale or rent. It promoted a covered ice rink and display of Winter Lights, with everything also accessible on a smartphone read more »

’Seats at the table’ for equity coming to West Smithfield

Winners have been announced for the competition I wrote about in July to deliver in Spring 2023 “temporary public realm interventions in Smithfield and East London that collectively develop a deeper understanding of the public’s experience of streets and public spaces”. A news release announced that Re-Fabricate and the DisOrdinary Architecture Project won the competition read more »

A warm welcome from libraries and community centres

The excellent Barbican library always has some quick choice selections on show, with timely topics, and I noticed on my last visit there was one offering more than books. Enjoy our warm and welcoming spaces this winter where there is something for everyone. Further investigation led me to an offer of grants of up to read more »