22 September 2009
Olé for Bow Churchyard
The Bow Churchyard street scene enhancement project has been
officially opened by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman
Ian Luder.
The accessibility and functionality of the space has been
improved ahead of the increasing number of pedestrians anticipated
in this part of the City as a result of the extensive retail and
office developments in Cheapside, which form part of the Cheapside
Initiative.
The focal point of the scheme is a Spanish-influenced pattern in
the central area of the churchyard, influenced and inspired by the
Mesquita in Cordoba and formed using a mixture of 1,200 red and
silver grey granite setts. The 100mm square setts were laid
one by one by a specialist stonemason. The Spanish link comes
from the fact that the churchyard is in the Ward of Cordwainer, an
area historically known for its shoemaking tradition, and derived
from the word Cordovan, the leather produced in Cordoba.
Two cherry trees have been planted to complement the existing
mature London Plane tree in the middle of the Churchyard.
Individual untreated oak timber seats and feature lighting have
been installed and there will also be some planters to add
additional greenery to the space.
Christine Cohen, Chairman of the Streets and Walkways Sub
Committee of the City of London Corporation said:
“The City prides itself on being a global financial centre
in modern times and it is easy to forget that many individual areas
have international links and influences stretching back to medieval
times. We have been able to use this as inspiration for our
theme for this improved civic space in a rapidly changing part of
the City. ”
Following completion of the Bow Bells redevelopment, a public
pedestrian route below the building links Bow Churchyard with Bread
Street, adjacent to the entrance to the new One New Change
Development. The Churchyard is also accessed from Cheapside
to the north and a narrow footpath to the south-east corner which
connects to Bow Lane.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of
Cordoba, Doña Rosa Candelario Ruiz, Councillor Rafael Perez de la
Concha, the Deputy Spanish Ambassador and also Reverend George Bush
of St Mary-le-Bow.
The scheme is designed by Burns and Nice.
Ends
Notes for editors
About the Cheapside initiative:
A unique partnership, that brings together the local business
community to work as a collective in helping to shape and influence
Cheapside to become a premier retail and leisure destination.
Cheapside is becoming one of the City of London’s most prestigious
shopping destinations, offering visitors a variety of contemporary
retail and leisure facilities seven days a week. The
aim of the Cheapside Initiative is to manage a coordinated approach
to development, generating a step change in visitor’s perceptions
of Cheapside by creating a strong business and retail voice for the
area. Long term benefits will be established for existing
businesses, as well as attracting new ones into the
area. The Initiative will be attracting further inward
investment by strengthening the retail offer of the area. Anchored
by two major new retail developments at each end of the street –
One New Change and Walbrook Square, the initiative will transform
this historic marketplace within the Square Mile. Full details on
www.incheapside.co.uk
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
Press contact
Kristina Blissett, Press Office, City of London
Corporation
Tel: 020 7332 3451 / Mobile: 07795 290040
Email:
kristina.blissett@cityoflondon.gov.uk