© London Aerial Photo Library

THE COVENT GARDEN AREA TRUST

The Covent Garden Area Trust is a registered charity, set up in 1988 to conserve the historic architecture, environment and special, unique qualities of the 97-acre Covent Garden area - bounded by Aldwych, Kingsway, High Holborn, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and the Strand - situated right in the heart of London, England’s capital city.

The Trust was granted a 150-year headlease on some of the most important buildings in and around the iconic Piazza, including the famous Central Market building, the heart of the former bustling fruit and vegetable market. This links the Trust to the freeholders - generally some of the country’s major investment companies. The Trust also concerns itself in the wider issues affecting the Covent Garden area and is regularly consulted by the planning authorities of both the London Borough of Camden and Westminster City Council.

The day-to-day running of the Trust is funded partly by membership subscriptions but principally by the ground rents on the buildings - known as The Protected Lands - and in turn the Trust pays a “peppercorn” rent of one red apple and one posy of flowers for each headlease during a quirky Rent Ceremony staged every summer around Midsummer Day. The properties which form The Protected Lands can mostly be seen in the photograph above, namely the Central Market, 25-31 James Street, 7, 9 & 10 Floral Street, Bedford Chambers & Cubitts Yard and the Museums block including parts of Wellington and Russell Streets.

The Trust is governed by a Council of 24 Trustees who meet formally bi-monthly. They include representatives of the local councils and community groups, and nominees of designated bodies who reflect the public interest. There are also “ordinary” Trustees who are elected each year by the members at the Annual General Meeting. Over the years there have inevitably been changes of ownership of the freehold of the Protected Lands but the Trust retains its element of control and is ever vigilant in its conservationist role.

The Trust has also built up a useful collection of historic and unusual books, photographs and documents about Covent Garden - and, more widely, London in general - and researchers and students are welcome to visit during office hours, with an appointment.

Covent Garden Area Trust
13 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4LF
Tel: 020 7497 9245
Fax: 020 7240 2405

admin@cgareatrust.org.uk

Registered Charity no. 299874
Registered at Companies House, Cardiff
Registered Number 02280893