3 November 2009
Retail first for Lord Mayor’s Show
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Show, on Saturday 14 November, will
include its first retail sector float. The Cheapside
Initiative is collaborating with Karen Millen and the London
College of Fashion on its entry to the Show.
The Cheapside Initiative, which supports the development of
Cheapside, in the City of London, as a premiere retail and leisure
destination, has challenged students from the London College of
Fashion to design couture costumes with a recycling theme.
The students are being mentored throughout the project by Gemma
Metheringham, Creative Director of Karen Millen and the final
designs will be modelled on the float by members of the English
National Ballet School. Part of the route of the Lord Mayor’s
Show includes Cheapside.
Ruth Duston, Project Director, Cheapside Initiative said:
“The Lord Mayor’s Show is traditionally associated with
livery companies who were originally the tradespeople of the City
so you could say our float is bringing the retail sector back to
the Show.”
In addition, music will be provided by the kitsch performer
Lorraine Bowen who is known for playing instruments put together in
unusual ways, like a Casio organ on an ironing board.
Lorraine will be playing a medley of tunes incorporating Cheapside
in the lyrics. The musicians accompanying her will be playing
objects that have been found and recycled to make instruments.
Ends
Notes for editors
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
About the Cheapside initiative:
This is a unique partnership that brings together the local
business community to work as a collective in helping to shape and
influence Cheapside to become a premier retail and leisure
destination. Cheapside is becoming one of the City of
London’s most prestigious shopping destinations, offering visitors
a variety of contemporary retail and leisure facilities seven days
a week.
The aim of the Cheapside Initiative is to manage a coordinated
approach to development, generating a step change in visitor’s
perceptions of Cheapside by creating a strong business and retail
voice for the area. Long term benefits will be established for
existing businesses, as well as attracting new ones into the
area.
The Initiative will be attracting further inward investment by
strengthening the retail offer of the area. Anchored by two major
new retail developments at each end of the street – One New Change
and Walbrook Square, the initiative will transform this historic
marketplace within the Square Mile. Full details on
www.incheapside.co.uk
Press enquiries
Kristina Blissett, Press Office, City of London
Corporation
Tel: 020 7332 3451 / Mobile: 07795 290040
Email:
kristina.blissett@cityoflondon.gov.uk