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 »

City makes only minor changes to London Wall West scheme

Community Matters reports that the City Corporation is making some changes to the controversial London Wall West scheme for 780,000 sq ft of offices. Earlier posts here. “The City of London Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee has voted to reduce the size of proposals to redevelop Bastion House and the existing Museum of London site, read more »

Twitter Likes spark thoughts on the Echo, libraries and community information

I dropped into Barbican Library yesterday for an informative chat about the proposed community room, and on the way out spotted a pile of EC1 Echos. I’m keen to see more free distribution of the Echo in the City … particularly since I’m fortunate to be favoured with space for three pieces in this edition. read more »

Community forum in the City’s Culture Mile set for approval

Update: The City’s Policy and Resources committee approved proposals for the CultureMile BID on October 20, with little discussion. Several members pressed for clear methods for resident involvement. Guidance was that this would be through steering groups. There was no specific mention of a community forum. Video of the committee discussion here. Proposals for a read more »

Barbican Library invites comments on plans for a new community room

Barbican Library is running two information sessions to explain in more detail plans for a new community room, which I wrote about here. The first session is on Tuesday October 18th 1-2pm, and the second Tuesday October 25th 7-8pm. More below. As well as providing space for events, the community room could act as a read more »