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PREFACE
“...By the early 19th century the character of the market
as well as the neighbourhood had been transformed. Traders in crockery,
poultry, bird-cages, locks and old iron had moved in, giving the
growers and dealers in fruit and vegetables excuses to flout the
rules of the market and to complain about the payment of tolls.
In an attempt to bring order out of chaos, the 6th Duke of Bedford
obtained an Act of Parliament to redefine his authority in 1831;
but in 1826 the family solicitor still complained that the market
displayed a ‘...total want of that systematic arrangement,
neatness and accommodation which tends obviously to facilitate and
increase public convenience...’
What was required was a new Act of Parliament to replace the faulty
one of 1813 and, in particular, to authorise a schedule of tolls...where
the tradesmen could carry on their business in regularly assigned
areas...”
From : “The London Encyclopaedia, Covent Garden”. Edited
by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert.
“... The Trust has become increasingly concerned at the
deterioration in the general appearance of the Piazza and the surrounding
area; in particular the proliferation of unlawful temporary structures,
illegal signage and so on...”
From : “Design Guidelines Committee Covent Garden Area Trust
- Brief for an Environmental Study of Central Covent Garden”.
Generously sponsored by Westminster City Council, English Heritage
and Guardian Properties.
Amongst the land sold by the London Residuary Body following the
abolition of the Greater London Council (GLC), the Covent Garden
Piazza was the most famous. The restoration of the Piazza and its
operation as a speciality shopping centre by the GLC was an unusual
example of municipal enterprise, made possible in part because the
Authority was both the freeholder and the planning authority.
This combination enabled the GLC to create a successful and profitable
commercial operation, whilst respecting the integrity of one of
London's greatest squares. The operational policy and mix of uses
was not set with the shareholders’ return as the criteria, but by
lengthy consultation and the desire to offer Londoners a ‘new’ square
and within it an unusual shopping centre with genuinely specialist
operators. Ironically this not entirely commercial policy was a
tremendous commercial success, as evidenced by the price paid for
the Piazza and surrounding freeholds.
Londoners and other visitors were clearly attracted by the quality
of the restoration, the beauty of the Piazza, the well run street
entertainment and shops which did not replicate the endless rows
of boutiques available elsewhere in London. The sale of the Piazza
raised two potential problems: how would a commercial operator manage
a public open space and how could the commercial return be increased
to cover the very substantial purchase price, without sacrificing
the special mix of uses and without taking over the ‘public’
spaces for income generating activities?
The Covent Garden Area Trust (CGAT) was established after prolonged
lobbying of Government and the London Residuary Body in order to
maintain the special character of the area and to preserve its unusual
built environment. We commissioned this Study to help further these
objectives, which can only be achieved through co-operation with
all the interests involved in Covent Garden. All concerned have
contributed to it with enthusiasm: we hope that those involved
in the Piazza will play a part in its realisation.
David Bieda, Chair, CGAT Design Guidelines Sub-committee
We dedicate this Study to the memory of Geoffrey Rippon, Secretary
of State for the Environment 1972 - 1974, First Chairman of the
Covent Garden Area Trust 1988 - 1992.
Subject to necessary periodic amendments and monitoring, Westminster
City Council supports the relevant planning advice and recommendations
of the Environmental Study of Central Covent Garden and will have
regard to the Study as a material consideration when considering
proposals affecting the central part of the Covent Garden Conservation
Area and in seeking to secure the effective preservation and enhancement
of its character and appearance.
Since 1994 the Planning and Transportation Committee have supported
and reviewed the preparation of this useful background reference
document, covering a wide range of issues affecting the character
of Central Covent Garden.
Covent
Garden Area Trust
13 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4LF
Tel: 020 7497 9245
Fax: 020 7240 2405
Registered Charity no. 299874
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