Issue no 56
N E W S
A N D
K E Y
I S S U E S
F O R
T H E
C I T Y
O F
L O N D O N
April 2006
cityview
linking it all together City infrastructure projects underway spotlight on the City
filming in the Square Mile Lord Mayor
boost for business
2 C I T Y V I E W
cityviewmagazine Welcome to cityviewmagazine
C O N T E N T S C I T Y
O F
L O N D O N
property showcase
3
T H E I N T E R V I E W
the long-term view C I T Y
4
P O L I C E
shaping the future of City policing C O M M U N I T Y
S T R A T E G Y
focus on feedback C I T Y
7
I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
future perfect? L O R D
8
M A Y O R
global reach for overseas promotion C I T Y
10
F I L M I N G
lights, camera, admin! A R T S
6
12
F O C U S
cultural revolution revisited a tale of two exhibitions
14 15
...and finally
16
cityview is the magazine of the City of London, provider of local government services for the Square Mile. Unless otherwise stated in individual features, more information on both the magazine and online articles is available from the addresses below. The magazine is available to download from www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityview. If you would like a summary of this publication in your language or in an alternative format such as large print, Braille or audio tape, please contact The Public Relations Office City of London PO Box 270 Guildhall London EC2P 2EJ 020 7332 3099 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk MAILING ENQUIRIES We welcome, and value, feedback but regret that correspondence cannot be individually acknowledged. MAILING ENQUIRIES cityviewmagazine
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C I T Y V I E W 3 C I T Y
P R O P E R T Y
property showcase With extensive building work going on in the Square Mile at present, making businesses and investors aware of the high quality property available now and in the near future is a major aim for the City of London Corporation.
expected in the next 20. It looked at the amount of renewal that has taken place in its built environment, the improved architectural quality of redevelopments and how the City itself is a better place for people.
One of the key dates in its property calendar is MIPIM (Marché International des Professionnels de l’Immobilier) the international property conference held in Cannes each March.
Following the seminar, Michael Snyder (pictured), Chairman of the City’s Policy & Resources Committee, chaired a discussion on the issues raised. He was joined by three senior property industry figures representing the architectural, developer and planning advisor perspectives – Lee Polisano of KPF,Adrian Penfold of British Land and Malcolm Kerr of DP9 respectively.
It is both a leading real estate forum and a global marketplace.At the most recent conference, the 17th, key representatives from the City of London, including its Economic Development and City Property Advisory Teams, met with investors and end-users.As well as highlighting the new property available and the benefits of locating in the Square Mile, they had the chance to see what is happening in the industry as a whole and to adjust strategy to meet emerging trends. This year, the City hosted a seminar 20/20 Vision: Planning the City of London 1985-2025 reviewing planning and architecture in the Square Mile over the last 20 years and looking ahead to what might be
More information 020 7332 3493 or cpat@cityoflondon.gov.uk
O N L I N E
O N L I N E
cityviewonline
liverylivedigest
March All change
January All the people
The Worshipful Company of
The Worshipful Company of
Marketors has a new Master.
Stationers & Newspaper Makers
Major building developments for
New Supporting People Strategy
Roger de Pilkyngton takes up the
admitted 47 Freemen in one go at
the Square Mile
launched
role with a background in catering
a specially-staged ceremony at
and events management.
the Stationers’ Hall.
Branching out
Four star performer
City school unveils expansion
City of London CPA results
01727 824446 or
020 7248 2934 or
plans
announced
clerk@marketors.org
admin@stationers.org
Building a brighter future
City of London joins Digital
The Salters’ Company’s flagship
The Worshipful Company of
New apprentice scheme unveiled
Challenge
charity, The Salters’ Institute,
Weavers presented its annual
hosted its annual awards
Textile Industry Awards in
ceremony in December.
February.
020 7628 5962 or
020 7606 1155 or
publicity@salters.co.uk
charity@weaversco.co.uk
February Safety Thirst
Hi tech focus
December City goes east
City pubs and clubs work to
City representation established in
reduce crime and disorder
Shanghai and Beijing
Playing the field
Money talks
Wanstead Flats refurbishment
Report shows London is a global
programme unveiled
financial centre
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityview www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/liverylive
4 C I T Y V I E W
T H E I N T E R V I E W
Peter Riddell of The Times talks to George Osborne, Shadow Chancellor
the long term view George Osborne is going to become much better known around the City. When he was catapulted last summer into the position of Shadow Chancellor at the age of just 33, he looked an interim appointment until the Conservative leadership was settled. But, having been David Cameron’s campaign manager, he has now not only been confirmed in his post but he has also become one of the most influential Tory leaders. His office adjoins Mr Cameron’s suite in the Norman Shaw South building overlooking the Thames. So what Mr Osborne says matters.While his background is in business – the family Osborne and Little fabric and wallpaper firm – his whole career has been in politics, as a special adviser, and, since 2001, as an MP. He is fully aware of the importance of the City and financial services, which he describes “as the jewel in the crown of the British economy, where we have a greater advantage over our competitors”. Every week, he has an event in the City. He also praises the contribution of the City of London Corporation in doing “a particularly good job in championing the City’s interests”. However, Mr Osborne is critical of Gordon Brown. Not only, he says, does Mr Brown only make rare and brief visits to the City, but the Treasury itself does not do enough to champion the interests of the City. He argues that the Treasury should be more of a champion of the City. Government should do what it can to help City markets “thrive and prosper”. The Shadow Chancellor lays particular stress on reducing regulations. He is worried that the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is in danger of “killing the goose that lays the golden egg”by excessive regulation. He blames both the FSA and the European Union for this trend. In particular, he argues that the European Commission “does not always understand the competitive pressures and position of financial services in Britain”.
Mr Osborne talks of great disappointment about the pace of creating a single market in financial services. There is still too much protection of smaller financial services industries on the Continent. Mr Osborne recognises the importance of strengthening London’s infrastructure, but is wary about saying anything which sounds like a firm commitment.“I cannot offer the hope of a pot of gold for infrastructure, though I hope we can find a way of updating infrastructure”. Like most politicians, he supports the principle of the Crossrail project, but fears that it may suffer from the work in London associated with the 2012 Olympics. He does not have “all the answers”on its funding. The Tories are in the middle of a series of policy reviews.The tax commission has been asked to look at the structure of the system, and whether it can be made simpler and flatter.This includes the much
He is fully aware of the importance of the City and financial services, which he describes “as the jewel in the crown of the British economy, where we have a greater advantage over our competitors”.
C I T Y V I E W 5
discussed idea of a single, flat tax, though Mr Osborne repeats that he is not committed to such an idea because of the problems involved.The commission is looking at capital tax reform and at moves towards lower and simpler taxes in the rest of Europe.
the Irish economy so successful.Why have companies like Google set up in the Dublin area rather than London? This is partly, he suggests, because of the pool of skilled labour in Ireland but also because of the Irish tax structure which has made it attractive to outside investors.
Separately, a review of the competitive position of By the middle of next year the reviews will have produced a range of options.That will also be when the overall economic and spending outlook will be clearer after Mr Brown – presuming he is still Chancellor rather than Prime Minister – will have announced the results of his two-year comprehensive review of plans for public spending lasting until the end of the decade. The new Conservative leadership has created some confusion and puzzlement in the City, and industry, by David Cameron’s remarks about the Tories not being the party of big business but being willing to stand up to it.The aim, Mr Osborne says, is to show that “the perception that the Conservative Party is in the pocket of big business is not the case.We represent the whole of society: small as well as large business”. He argues that many of the largest companies, such as BP, Tesco and Asda, are, in fact, most sensitive about their wider social and environmental obligations.
the British economy is being undertaken. Mr Osborne argues that one of the central failures of Gordon Brown has been to preside over a deterioration in Britain’s competitive position with increases in taxes and regulation, leading to a drop in our position on the World Economic Forum league table from fourth to thirteenth.“There has been a hardening of the arteries”.
Mr Osborne stresses that he does not want to make hard-and-fast policy now – it is more a matter of longterm themes. He denies that the Tories are converging with New Labour. He points to the commitment to reduce the share of national income taken by the state over the course of the economic cycle: the opposite of Mr Brown’s approach.The Tory aim is to “share”the proceeds of growth between investing in public services and reducing taxes. Moreover, he says most in the City will agree with making a priority of economic stability and fiscal responsibility ahead of tax cuts, since they would not want to increase borrowing.
The reviews will also look at structural questions, including planning and transport (Mr Osborne is reluctant to become involved in the question of whether the Mayor of London should take planning powers from the boroughs.The party, he says, is looking at the powers of the Mayor). These review groups are independent though Mr Osborne has the right to make suggestions about what they should consider. For instance, after a visit to Ireland in late February, he asked what has made
Peter Riddell is Chief Political Commentator of The Times
6 C I T Y V I E W
C I T Y
P O L I C E
shaping the future of City policing
Forget crime figures, anti-social behaviour and binge drinking. The Police Service has been making headlines of a different kind recently. Last Autumn, the Home Secretary announced that police forces must merge with their neighbours to ensure they provide a service fit for the 21st century.This raised questions about the future of the City of London Police, which has been providing a dedicated service to meet the needs of the Square Mile since 1839. At the time of going to press, it seems likely to retain its independence while working more closely with the Metropolitan Police in areas such as investigating murder, kidnap and terrorism. However the final verdict will not be delivered until the National Fraud Review reports in June. This process began with a review of all forces by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to assess the ability of forces in England and Wales to cope with resource-intensive crimes such as murder and terrorism.Almost all forces failed to achieve the required rating, leading to the announcement that ‘strategic’ – normally, larger – forces must be created. City of London Police Commissioner, Dr James Hart set up a review team of senior officers to investigate and research the available options.Their conclusion was clear: City of London Police must remain as a separate force if it was to continue to
provide the specialist service necessary to effectively police the world’s leading international business and financial centre. It already leads in London and the South East in combating economic crime and the City needs integrated, on-the-ground policing for such a high concentration of world class businesses. Keith Knowles, Chairman of the Police Committee, believes there are many good reasons why COLP should remain independent.“We are one of the highest performers in the country, have an unsurpassed reputation in economic crime detection and understand the needs of our community.We work effectively in full co-operation with the Met when necessary, as the tragic events of 7 July aptly demonstrated.” This view was wholeheartedly endorsed by the City of London Corporation, which offered its full support in producing the necessary business case. Michael Snyder, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, added his backing stating that “With an area as unique as the Square Mile we need a force dedicated to its specific needs to meet the demands of the international businesses based here.With an outstandingly successful record the City Police should retain its independence.”
The City Police ■ has 885 officers, 70 special constables and 16 Police Community Support Officers ■ leads the nation in fraud investigation expertise ■ has an ‘Excellent’ rating from a Best Value Review of Counter Terrorism ■ response times are consistently the best in England and Wales ■ has a satisfaction rating of 90% from city businesses (MORI) ■ figures show crime level is one of the lowest in the country and continuing to fall
More information www.cityoflondon.police.uk
C I T Y V I E W 7
C O M M U N I T Y
S T R A T E G Y
focus on
feedback In a partnership as large and varied as The City Together it is important to check that it is moving in the right direction and the only way do this is to report back to its stakeholders – the City itself. The third annual City Together stakeholder event was held in February with this in mind. People from all areas of life across the Square Mile were invited to Guildhall to see how the City’s different service providers are working together to improve their service provision. Residents, workers, business representatives and young people were able to view three times as many stalls as in previous events. Lunchtime viewing was piloted this year as well as the regular early evening viewing.Visitors also had the opportunity to question the different services providers about their work.
Development Framework that will determine future City land use policy ■ the development of a voluntary and community sector providing independent “Council for Voluntary Service-style”support in the Square Mile. As well as being a forum for feedback, the stakeholder event includes workshops to discuss key issues in greater depth.This year one of the major points raised was healthcare for City residents; other topics included the City and the 2012 Olympics, recycling and late night licensing.The results of these sessions, and indeed the event as a whole, will be fed into the Community Strategy’s Action Plan which is updated annually to form the structure for The City Together’s work.
Michael Snyder, who chairs The City Together, opened the evening’s formal proceedings explaining its purpose and outlining progress achieved over the past 12 months. He then went on to introduce a number of new initiatives planned such as
Alongside the many service providers already making up the partnership, more organisations are being encouraged to sign up as associate members. This means that they support the Community Strategy’s aims and pledge support for what the Strategy is striving to achieve.This is seen as a way of broadening involvement by the wider City in the Strategy’s work.
■ a Careers Open House programme to bring 13 and 14 year olds into City firms to see what goes on and inspire them to work in the City ■ a large scale consultation on the City’s Local
Feedback from attendees after the event showed that in general people had found it useful and informative – both in terms of finding out more about the City and in making new contacts.
More information www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ communitystrategy
8 C I T Y V I E W
C I T Y
I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
future perfect? One of the responsibilities of the City of London is to keep an eye on the future, ensuring that the Square Mile has everything it needs to thrive. Much of this work revolves around infrastructure and, even if not directly responsible for it, the City continues to lobby for improvement in vital areas such as transport. This year progress is being made on a number of fronts that will improve that infrastructure and also take into account the expected growth in the Square Mile’s population in the next decade. The last issue of cityview outlined the widespread and ongoing building development work in the Square Mile.This will replace older building stock with attractive, modern and fit-for-purpose buildings that should last well into the future. It will also make the Square Mile a more attractive place to do business, visit and live, as community benefits often form part of larger developments. Alongside this,Thames Water has announced the start of a £500m water mains replacement programme across the capital.This will replace London’s oldest and leakiest water mains over the next three years beginning in the Square Mile in April. The ageing, cast iron pipes, many of which are more than 150 years old, will be replaced with new infrastructure that will accommodate the rise in population, the greater demand for water per head and the increasing evidence of climate change. The City of London is already working with Thames Water to ensure that any local disruption to residents or businesses is kept to a minimum.The work will be
carried out on an area by area basis. In advance of each stage of the project, residents and businesses likely to be affected by the work will be invited to attend briefings on the programme.They will then be given a chance to talk directly to Thames Water representatives. In keeping with the high-tech nature of business in
C I T Y V I E W 9
the Square Mile, the City of London is also looking at opportunities to establish a WiFi network.This enables users of laptops or mobile phones to send emails and connect to the internet without the use of plugs or sockets.This would make London the most technologically advanced financial centre in the world.
The Waterloo and City line will be closed for a major line upgrade from 1 April until early September 2006.
The WiFi network would be installed on street furniture including lamp posts and street signs allowing City workers and visitors with WiFi-enabled devices to access the internet on streets and in open spaces. Michael Snyder, Chairman of the City of London’s Policy & Resources Committee feels “it is important to provide this technology for City workers to maintain our position as the world’s leading international financial centre. City workers will be able to use wireless broadband to work more efficiently; staying in touch with their office via handheld devices while on the move.” This would have enormous benefits for business. Already much work is done outside office (and is also in line with the increasing practice of hotdesking) and working ‘in the field’.
for engineering improvements and will obviously affect thousands of people. But it is believed that closing the line in its entirety, rather than carrying out work in the limited hours available after the line closes at night and before it opens in the morning, will allow operators Metronet to carry out the work that much quicker. The line is more than 100 years old and during the closure the track will be replaced and electrical, mechanical, fire protection and communication equipment will be renewed. Once completed, the improvements should deliver greater reliability, a 25% increase in capacity, quicker journey times and a smoother ride. In addition,the ongoing saga of Crossrail has reached a key juncture.The Crossrail Select Committee has begun sitting to hear petitions on the Crossrail Bill before a recommendation is made to Parliament.The committee period is expected to last until the year end but will represent another hurdle crossed. Crossrail is the east-west rail link that the City has been championing for many years to solve current overcrowding on the underground but also to supply extra capacity to meet the expanding City population.
Thames Water ● Beneath London and the Thames
● Create capacity to accommodate
Valley, Thames Water looks after
expected 10,000 additional
20,000 miles of water mains and
commuters in next 10 years
40,000 miles of sewers – enough to
Waterloo & City Line
run round the world more than twice.
● By 2016, the equivalent of the population of Leeds (nearly 800,000 people) are expected to move to London
● The majority of the oldest and leakiest pipes are situated in north and central London
Crossrail ● Route would run underground from Liverpool Street to Paddington
● Stations at Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street
● Would help alleviate current overcrowding
● Also known as ‘The Drain’ ● Opened in 1898 ● Carries 9.6m people every year ● Improvements will increase
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
connect to the Internet when in proximity of an access point
● Geographical region covered by one or several access points is called a hotspot.
capacity by 25%
WiFi ● Invented in 1991 ● wireless-enabled computers or
As ever, transport remains one of the City’s biggest concerns. Over the years it has been pressing for better performance and improved capacity across the whole network – especially with regard to the Underground. Now several projects that will boost transport across the capital, including the Docklands Light Railway extension, are making progress.
More information
personal digital assistant can
One of the most high profile is the closure of the Waterloo & City line scheduled for the beginning of April.This will involve the closure of the entire line
At the London Government dinner at Mansion House in January the Lord Mayor summed up the need for much of this work when he described London as the smallest in size of the nine English regions “yet it produces more wealth than any other region in the whole European Union. But if we are not to keep enough of what we raise, if we do not get Crossrail, if we do not get upgraded infrastructure, if we do not get the extra resources each borough needs to do what is expected of it, then we cannot meet our obligations, let alone prosper.”
10 C I T Y V I E W
L O R D
M A Y O R
global reach for
overseas promotion Question: what have Beirut, Cornwall, Tokyo, Cardiff, New Delhi and Leeds got in common? Answer: they, along with plenty of other diverse destinations, are all on the Lord Mayor’s visits schedule this year. The main role of the Lord Mayor is to promote the Square Mile and its services.He is a dedicated ambassador who travels extensively to boost London’s role as the world’s leading international financial and business centre. This is in line with a major policy strand of the City of London Corporation.It means working in close collaboration with the City’s Chairman of Policy & Resources,Michael Snyder,and other Members in making sure the City’s interests are reflected in London-wide and national policy and development.
Mayoral visits 2005
The Lord Mayor at the opening
22-23 November
International Financial Street,
Austria (Pre-Pres)
ceremony of the Chongqing ‘the Wall Street’ of Chongqing
In his ambassadorial role,this also means more than 20 overseas and domestic visits and countless other receptions at Mansion House and Guildhall at which he welcomes visiting diplomats and business visitors on behalf of the government.
2006 25-30 January 10-16 February
Egypt (27-30 Jan)
of Chongqing.
Saudi Arabia (10-14 Feb) Mongolia China (first visit including Hong Kong)
19-28 March
India
3-5 April
Finland (Pre-Pres 3-4 April)
25-26 April
Belgium (EU Commission)
8-18 May
Philippines (8-11 May) Indonesia (11-14 May) Brunei (14-15 May) Thailand (15-18 May)
3-6 July
Hungary (3-4 July) Turkey (4-6 July)
31 Aug-16 Sept
March saw the Lord Mayor’s first trip of the year to China taking in Chongqing,Chenghu,Shenzhen and Hong Kong.Financial Services were the main focus of the visit with a series of seminars organised for the business community in conjunction with UK Trade & Investment,IFSL and the China-Britain Business
Zhou Mubing, Vice Mayor
Bahrain (14-16 Feb) 24 Feb-7 March
The visits schedules are tailored to the strengths and experience of each Lord Mayor.Alderman David Brewer is proud of his links to Asia having set up offices for insurance brokers Sedgwick Collins in Tokyo and Beijing.He is also a consultant for the Asia Pacific Region of Marsh Inc,is senior Asia Consultant at International Financial Services,London (IFSL) and is Non-Executive Director of London Asia Capital plc. With this pedigree,it is not surprising that the first guests in Mansion House on Alderman Brewer’s first working day were from Shanghai!
and (bottom right) meeting Algeria (25-27 Jan)
Japan (31 Aug-3 Sept) Korea (3-6 Sept) China (second visit: 6-16 Sept)
In his ambassadorial role, this means more than 20 overseas and domestic visits and countless other receptions at Mansion House and Guildhall
C I T Y V I E W 11
Council.Topics covered included how to list on the London Stock Exchange,advice on seeking venture capital and financial training. Alderman Brewer was accompanied,as on every visit, by a senior business delegation of representatives who are acknowledged experts in their fields.The delegation to China included Jane Zhu of the London Stock Exchange,Sir Thomas Harris,Vice Chairman of Capital Markets at Standard Chartered Bank,and Martin Bloom,Chairman of UK-China Venture Capital Joint Working Group. Being Lord Mayor involves meeting people at the highest level of government and business.In Hong Kong this meant discussions with Rafael Hui,Chief Secretary of Administration,and Joseph Yau,the Chief
country has changed since his predecessors’visits. During January,Alderman Brewer saw first hand how Egypt is now opening up to foreign investment with the privatisation of its banking structure,liberalised exchange rate and the greater finance available for public infrastructure projects.With experienced business people now forming part of the country’s government,the economy is diversifying and financial services are seen as an important wealth provider. Domestic visits are equally important.The Lord Mayor promotes UK based financial services which,although headquartered in the City,includes regional financial centres such as Edinburgh,Glasgow,Leeds, Manchester and Bristol.By touring these areas he can exchange best practice and keep abreast of their own issues which can then help inform the messages he puts across to decision makers in the UK and abroad. Alderman Brewer is also keen to reach workers in the Square Mile – people mainly in their late twenties and early thirties who are the wealth generators for the wider City.This is with the aim of making them feel valued and part of the Square Mile’s long term future.
Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority,to reinforce the UK’s strong links with the country and assess financial trends there.
More information or to express an interest in being involved in one of the Lord Mayor’s visits 020 7332 3099 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk
But the Lord Mayor’s agenda stretches far beyond Asia. Already he has travelled to Austria in a European Union pre-presidency visit,Algeria,Egypt,Saudi Arabia and Finland.In Saudi Arabia he gave a keynote address at the Jeddah Economic Forum on the financing large scale infrastructure projects and opened a seminar on the UK’s experience in Public Private Partnerships.
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ lordmayor
In some instances a Lord Mayor can see how a
Strengthening academic exchange will be another objective of Alderman’s Brewer’s visits to China as part of his strong belief in the value of education – ‘you have to learn to earn’! City University London,of which the Lord Mayor is Chancellor,is jointly sponsoring an international EMBA programme with the Bank of China and the Central University of Finance and Economics to train high-level Chinese talent in economic and financial management.By offering courses that contain both local and international angles,the Square Mile can ensure that it nurtures and exports the talents that these economies need. With visits still planned for the Philippines,Indonesia, Brunei,Thailand,Hungary,Turkey,Korea,Portugal and Spain one thing is for sure – the Lord Mayor’s year is starting to kick into high gear!
12 C I T Y V I E W
C I T Y
F I L M I N G
lights, camera, admin! The Square Mile proved the second most popular destination in London for film makers in 2005.It notched up 1,040 shooting days averaging at just under three shoots per day! According to Film London,this helped establish a record number of days spent filming across the capital last year.The total number of shooting days reached 12,655,a record-breaking increase of 18% on the previous year. Of course ‘shooting’does not necessarily mean a big budget film production.It could mean a television shoot,a commercial or simply a photographic assignment.But for each,this could mean the involvement of any one of several areas – ■ City of London Police (security,traffic control) ■Technical Services (parking,licences for camera track) ■ Environmental Services (noise levels,road cleansing) ■ City Surveyors (property management) ■ Markets or Open Spaces (popular locations) ■ City Comptrollers (contracts) And that’s just City of London departments.The City’s Film Office might also have to liaise with Transport for London,London Buses,the Port of London Authority or the Civil Aviation Authority. At the time of writing the Film Office team was waiting for the traditional winter lull in filming to give way to a busier spring,with its longer hours of daylight,and normally manic summer.Numerous productions that filmed in the Square Mile last year are now awaiting release,whether on cinema or TV screens,and location managers are already scouting for next year’s large scale productions. V for Vendetta (a vision of Britain as a future fascist nation) has just been released and other high profile productions scheduled for release in the near future include, Basic Instinct 2 and The Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron
Howard. Looking ahead, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is due to start shooting in the coming months and is currently scouting locations with Burnham Beeches a possible option for certain scenes. While these are each one-offs, Spooks, Hustle and The Bill are reliable and regular television productions that come back to the City because of positive previous experiences.According to the City Film Office, one of the attractions of the Square Mile is that it is quiet. Because of its small resident community and financial focus on weekdays only, weekends are a particularly fertile time to film. Children of Men, a futuristic drama starring Clive Owen, required narrow, dark streets, modern looking architecture, an area that would not be immediately recognisable and the need to set off an explosion! Fleet Street was chosen to meet these different needs and the Film Office was able to make sure that filming coincided with a scheduled road closure of the street for maintenance work thereby meeting everyone’s needs and keeping disruption to a minimum. But it was not always this way.The City of London only set up its Film Office in the mid-1990s,one of the first in London,with other local authorities following suit. It came about as a result of the increasing requests to film in the capital and from film makers who were finding it difficult to liaise with the numerous departments,authorities and other organisations whose permission or help were needed.As more local authorities have established their own film offices,the number of productions looking to shoot in London has increased as a direct result. The City Film Office has shared best practice with other London boroughs on procedures as well as with City businesses when approached by film companies. It can also offer advice to residents and members of the public about filming in the Square Mile.. The City of London has also helped fund the start up of Film London, the capital’s film and media agency that promotes and develops London as a film making and film cultural capital. Film London has launched
Breakdown of activities for a typical feature film shoot Location sourcing Assistance from City Police Technical vehicles parking/private car parking Removal of street signs/road markings Rubbish removal Fake weather arrangements Risk assessments for stunts Licensing equipment Animal vetting
ON LOCATION IN THE CITY
It’s a good time for filming in the City of London.
C I T Y V I E W 13
the London Filming Partnership to make filming in the capital easier and more than 120 partners, including the City of London and the other 32 London local authorities, have signed up.
Top, Tom Hanks during a break in filming The Da Vinci Code, and above, Woody Allen on location in the City
Most popular City locations Tower Bridge Millennium Bridge Smithfield Market Billingsgate Market
Children of Men
The Da Vinci Code
locations or liaising with each of the City of London departments or external organisations necessary – making location managers’ lives a lot easier.
The Virgin Queen
V for Vendetta
Location Managers tend to be employed by production companies on a freelance basis and rely on their reputation to gain entry into locations. Many have come into the City enough times over the years on different projects to have built up a reputation for being trustworthy and responsible.This works to the advantage of all parties as the Film Office can make more provisions at shorter notice.The team can save them a lot of time and effort by suggesting possible
For the Film Office,if a production shoots in a City of London-owned property there is a location fee.If it is private property,the owners would charge a location fee,but the City of London may charge an administration fee and chances are that it would also earn money through parking fees.At the top end of the scale a major feature film can bring in up to £65,000 a day to the local area.Because of this revenue generation,filming has crept up the priority ladder for local authorities. Several productions also pay off in terms of attracting tourists.Bridget Jones’s Diary, The World Is Not Enough and Closer all showed London to its best advantage with their location work and enhance the reputation of the capital. The complex demands of any production mean that the Film Office often receives many last minute requests.The team try not to say ‘no’ to any of them but often have to rely on a lot of good will, particularly from Parking officers and the City Police, to get things done. But although any film,TV programme, advert or photographic shoot may involve hundreds of people behind the scenes – if they are really successful you shouldn’t be thinking about them at all! More information 020 7332 3202 www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/leisure_heritage/filming
14 C I T Y V I E W
A R T S
F O C U S
cultural revolution
revisited The late 1960s saw major social unrest, in one form or another, across the world. The riots in Paris, the Vietnam protests in the United States and for Brazil it was Tropicália – now the basis for a ground breaking new exhibition at the Barbican. Unlike its counterparts in France and America, Tropicália was a cultural revolution taking in music, visual arts, theatre, cinema, fashion and architecture. “It attempted to forge a new identity for the country by taking in existing work from abroad but fusing it with Brazil’s own culture,” explained the Barbican’s media relations manager Miles Evans. “In doing so it gave rise to political thought which was so threatening to the country’s military dictatorship.”
recreated at the Barbican.
Tropicália then in turn became The movement was originally
the title of one of the most
inspired by, and took its name from,
celebrated albums in Brazilian
an installation by artist Hélio Oiticica
music history, featuring
in 1967. This allowed people to walk
Caetano Veloso, Gilbero
through a representation of urban
Gil, Gal Costa and Os
“Album covers, magazine
life in a favela, or shanty town, with
Mutantes, and “began an explosion
covers, television footage,
sand on the floor, flower-patterned
of creative energy that transformed
design work, abstract art,
vinyl curtains, macaws and a
Brazilian culture – making it one of
fashion and performances
television – all of which is faithfully
the most significant cultural
from artists of the time all
movements from South America in
show the impact the movement
the last 50 years”, Miles continued.
had in such a short space of time.”
The art on display comes from a
Although shortlived as a movement
also tours explaining the Tropicália
previous exhibition in Chicago, but
(it was crushed by the government
experience, a music festival, film
the Barbican has chosen to open it
soon after it began) its influence can
series and dance.
up to encompass all the cultural
still be found, especially in the work
areas that the movement helped
of David Bowie, David Byrne and
influence. “The sheer scale of this
Beck. And in a twist of irony one of
exhibition, brought together under
the founders of Tropicália, Gilberto
More information
one roof, is something only the
Gil is now Minister of Culture in
0845 1207550
Barbican could do,” added Miles.
Brazil’s current government!
www.barbican.org.uk
Tropicália – a Revolution in Brazilian Culture appears at the Barbican until 22 May. Along with the visual art exhibition there are
C I T Y V I E W 15
A R T S
Satirical London runs until 3 September at the Museum of London.
F O C U S
More information 0870 444 3851
a tale of
two exhibitions
Unquiet Thames runs until 4 June at the Museum of Docklands. More information 0870 444 3857 www.museumoflondon.org.uk
With a launch date of 1 April the Museum of London clearly has its tongue in its cheek with its new exhibition Satirical London. Because of its sheer size and variety London has always offered plenty of potential for satirists to get their teeth into – from etchings of
Although satire grew out of the
Another visually centred
“The Thames in central London has
George III right up to Tony Blair’s
Italian art of caricature, London
exhibition is now running at the
a seven metre tidal range and it is in
lampooned subjects as the
Museum in Docklands. Using vast
the enclosed spaces flooded
monarchy and the church in a way
panoramic images, Unquiet
alternately with light and with water
that was unthinkable on the
Thames shows the mysterious,
that I have concentrated my
Continent.
watery world hidden beneath
attention,” explained Crispin.
current political headaches.
London’s bridges. This exhibition celebrates the capital’s rich history in poking
“Most of these places were not It features 18 pictures, each over
designed to be seen by the general
fun at the rich and famous
two metres wide and taking in 360
public at all…Thousands of people
and includes copies of
degrees by stitching together eight
walk about above them every day
Punch magazine and the
separate digital images. They were
not knowing that beneath their feet
taken by photographer Crispin
lurks this strange amphibious
Hughes and show the underbelly of
architecture.”
latex puppets from TV’s
Spitting Image. More than 350 social and political satires dating
the capital’s famous landmarks.
back 300 years are on display ranging from light-hearted
There is a £5 annual entry fee to the Shades of light and dark, differing
Museum in Docklands for adults but
mockery to scathing and libellous
tides, debris and amalgams of timber,
bring along this copy of cityview
attacks.
steel and concrete are explored,
and you can get two tickets for the
complemented by a soundtrack
price of one! Kids get in free.
Sketches, ceramics, snuff boxes,
featuring the lapping of water. Both
Toby jugs and chamber pots all
elements combine to give both a
provide material for satirising the
surprising view of the Thames and an
City and its people in a unique way.
unsettling atmosphere.
16 C I T Y V I E W
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B R I E F
...and finally Not just a load of hot air Household names such as Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and Royal Mail, as well as the small family-run Kent Art Printers, were among the winners of this year’s City of London Liveable City Awards.
Asian flavour for festival The awards, presented by John Gummer MP and world-renowned
Although it seems some way off,
Japanese artists alongside their
spaces offer so look out for more
ecologist Professor Norman Myers
summer is only just around the
European counterparts and the
details in the near future.
(pictured at right with Paul Anderson
corner and with it the 2006 City of
Ambassador of Japan, His
of Kent Art Printers), recognise and
London Festival.
reward outstanding achievement
Excellency Mr Yoshiji Nogami, is
More information
Festival Patron.
admin@colf.org
across sustainable development,
The Festival runs from 26 June to
the environment, social issues and
13 July and continues the theme of
www.colf.org
the economy.
Trading Places. This celebrates the
various kinds, drama and poetry,
links between London and trading
installations and exhibitions of
World-class performances, music of
The overall winner of the Liveable
cities around the world, this year
visual arts, film screenings,
City Awards Trophy 2006 was
turning to Tokyo. The programme
architecture walks and talks will all
announced as the Carbon
will include the creative output and
be on offer in the City’s unique
Disclosure Project which
performances of a number of
range of halls, churches and open
represents the world’s largest collaboration by institutional investors on climate change. The project collates detailed information
Old Bailey, new public space
from FT500 companies on their greenhouse gas emissions and
A new public space has been
publishes them on its website. It
opened by the Lord Mayor at
was praised by the judging panel for
Old Bailey, reclaimed from traffic
having a tangible impact on global
as part of the City of London’s
efforts to combat climate change.
ongoing Street Scene Challenge initiative.
For the first time this year, the awards are one of six national
Road works at Old Bailey have
feeder schemes so all category
resulted in a reduction in
winners will be put forward to
carriageway width. The redundant
represent the UK in the European
road space has been redesigned by
The Street Scene Challenge
reduction in the central City area as
Business Awards for the
landscape architects Burns + Nice
initiative was set up in 2003 to
a result of the City’s management of
Environment, giving them chance of
to create a pleasant and welcoming
manage the appearance of streets,
vehicular movement.
international recognition.
public space which includes an
enhance the public realm and street
oval water feature as the central
level environment and facilitate the
Through Street Scene, the City of
More information
focal point, three raised granite
flow of both pedestrian and motor
London is continually working to
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/
terrace areas, stone and wood
traffic around the City of London.
improve the appearance, function
living_environment/sustainability
seating, lighting and the planting of
Traffic has been reduced in the City
and safety of the City’s streets, to
London plane trees.
by 25% overall, with a 40%
provide a high quality environment.