5 December 2008
Lord Mayor turns on Christmas lights at Leadenhall Market
The countdown to the festive season began last Friday (28 Nov),
when the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Ian Luder,
switched on the Christmas lights at the historic Leadenhall Market
in front of a record crowd of over 1,200 people. Lucky sisters
Rhiannon Baldwin (6) and Seren Baldwin (4) joined the Lord Mayor on
the stage. (pictured)
The Metropolitan Swing Band, an eleven-piece orchestra of
talented students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
performed festive music. The entertainment did not end there as the
Matt Fripp dance band and DJ kept the tunes playing until 9pm. Free
mulled wine and mince pies were on offer whilst the pubs and
restaurants were flooded with people looking for some serious
feasting.
Lord Mayor Ian Luder said: "Leadenhall has always been one of my
favourite spots in the City to shop and relax. I love the history
of Leadenhall: from its origins as a food market, to a centre for
the leather trade, to the popular shopping destination it is today.
Turning on the Christmas lights was an opportunity for the City of
London to say a special thank you to our all our customers,
visitors and retailers."
The Market, an elaborately decorated Victorian masterpiece in
the heart of the City, is a thriving retail centre with a wide
range of goods on sale. Its cobbled walkways and glass roof make it
an attractive place to shop, eat and drink or simply to relax.
The Market is located to the south of Leadenhall Street between
Gracechurch Street and Lime Street. The nearest underground
stations are Bank and Monument.
Ends
Notes to editors:
The City of London provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also
extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the
Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000
acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority.
Loretta Lui
Press Officer
Public Relations Office
City of London
PO Box 270, Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel 020 7332 1528/ 0777 080 3589
Fax 020 7332 1987