17 May 2007
The changing face of Cheapside
Four centuries in prints, drawings and photographs (images
available on request)
At: The Print Room, Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London
EC2
From: 29 May until 13 October 2007
Opening hours: Mon - Sat 9.30am-5.00pm (Bookshop closed on
Saturdays)
Entrance: Free
Tube: St Paul’s, Bank, Mansion House or Moorgate tube
stations.
Public enquiries: 020 7332 1862 / 3.
A new exhibition at the City of London’s Guildhall Library
charts 400 years on Cheapside – one of the Square Mile’s most
famous thoroughfares. Historically a key shopping street, Cheapside
has undergone catastrophes in the 17th and 20th Centuries which
wiped out almost every building. The Great Fire of 1666 resulted in
Medieval wooden structures being entirely replaced with brick,
while following the Blitz of 1940 flamboyant Victorian buildings
were replaced with more functional steel, concrete and glass.
Some parts of Cheapside have survived the change – the
two-storey shops and ancient plane tree at the corner of Wood
Street can be seen today. Other buildings have moved elsewhere –
the façade of Old Mercers’ Hall now resides in Swanage while Sir
John Bennett’s clock shop is in Michigan.
Today, Cheapside is undergoing a new revival as plans are
underway to transform it into an 21st Century shopping destination,
to help keep the City ahead of its rivals.
This exhibition shows a flavour of the hundreds of prints, maps,
drawings and photographs of Cheapside held by the Guildhall
Library.
This focus on famous shopping thoroughfares is also reflected in
the Guildhall Art Gallery’s current exhibition A Mile of Style,
charting 180 years of shopping on Regent Street. It runs until 30
June.
Ends
Press enquiries to Lesley Mair, City of London.
Tel 020 7332 1754
Email