Latest news with #SohoSociety
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Calls to preserve historic Soho production company sign
A sign linked to Soho's historic connections with the film industry may be replaced under refurbishment Hammer House sign on Wardour Street harkens back to the building's former use as the home of Hammer Film Productions, now used as mixed-use office known for its horror movies put out from the mid-1950s up to the 1970s, Hammer Film Productions moved into its Soho office in the late 1940s, after which point it was renamed Hammer the current sign dates to the 1990s, the Soho Society is requesting it either be retained under plans to refurbish the building or a "facsimile of the original" be installed in its place. Hammer Film Productions was founded in 1934 by William Hinds and James it worked on films in genres such as fantasy and science fiction, it is most closely associated with its long list of horrors including the Count Dracula series and The Mummy (1959).The application, filed by architects kennedytwaddle on behalf of owners Hammer House Investment Limited, largely focuses on changes to the rear of the also proposes to replace the signage and doors to the upper floors "with more simple, discreet versions".Chris Twaddle of kennedytwaddle said the studio always tries to be as true to the original as it can with its refurbishments. 'True to original' He said: "The wider plans for Hammer House are to refurbish the building in a manner true to the original to create quality new workspaces and potentially a roof terrace with unrivalled 360 degree views of the area."Tim Lord, Chair of the Soho Society said the group is discussing with the applicant whether any proposed changes to the building's façade can either retain the existing sign or replace with a replica of the original."Soho was for many decades the centre of the UK's film industry and we are keen to retain and protect these reminders of that period," he added. "We loved the Hammer House of Horror and we want it to stay."The application is yet to be decided by Westminster City Council. A target date has been set of 9 September.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mayor of London to move ahead with Oxford Street traffic ban
Plans to pedestrianise parts of Oxford Street will move forward "as quickly as possible", the mayor of London has Hall claims two thirds of people support the principle of banning traffic on one of the world's busiest streets, with Sir Sadiq Khan adding that "urgent action is needed to give our nation's high street a new lease of life".Vehicles would be banned from a 0.7-mile (1.1km) stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with further potential changes towards Tottenham Court Hug, Westminster City Council's Labour leader, said the plan "was not the council's preferred outcome" but "it is now important for Oxford Street's future to move forward together". Detailed proposals for traffic on Oxford Street, which sees an average of half a million visitors each day, will be consulted on later this year. 'Elephant in the room' Tim Lord, chair of the Soho Society, said key questions remained unanswered, including about "traffic diversion and the impact of moving 16 bus routes into narrow, congested one-way streets in Marylebone and Fitzrovia".He said: "No convincing plan has ever been presented; London is already a very slow city and will get worse."The elephant in the room is that Oxford Street's problems are to do with the quality and attractiveness of the retail offering, which is diminished by rents which are too high and which only ever increase."He added that there were questions about bicycles and "equality of access for bus and taxi users" and "people with kids and heavy shopping or with mobility restrictions". A previous consultation showed support for the scheme from local business owners (19%) and residents (34%) lagged behind visitors (62%).In 2018, Westminster City Council - then led by the Conservatives - blocked the mayor's plans to pedestrianise the street, citing a lack of support from 2022, the same council was widely mocked for a doomed attempt to entice visitors back to the area with the Marble Arch Mound, which opened incomplete, over budget and led to resignations. The mayor's latest proposals depend on him obtaining permission from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in her role as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to establish a new Mayoral Development Corporation, which would provide planning Sadiq said: "We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue."This will help to attract more international visitors and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come." 'Roared back to life' Mr Hug said: "Since the mayor's new approach was made public last autumn, Westminster has worked pragmatically and productively with the Greater London Authority to ensure that the plan for Oxford Street more closely meets the needs of businesses, visitors and residents."Since 2022, Oxford Street has roared back to life after the pandemic. Such is the level of retail confidence that existing brands have spent £118m refitting their stores in the last 12 months alone, according to Savills."City Hall Conservative Alessandro Georgiou AM said: "We are concerned that the mayor is driving coach and horses through the plan drawn up by Westminster Conservatives, which had the popular support of residents and businesses, in order to secure himself even a shred of a positive legacy after last week's disastrous Spending Review. "The mayor's polling claims to show how strongly Londoners feel about this issue, but he has yet to make a cogent case for why he needs to take power away from local councils in order to achieve this rather than working with them."We will continue to hold the mayor to account on his empty proposals, and encourage him to be clearer with the public about the impacts on congestion, public safety and disabled access, as well as how much his plans will cost."
