Battersea Power Station - Sightseeing, London Landmarks

Battersea Power Station

his hideous looking building (though a great many people are fond of it) has been listed and so should be safe from demolition. Its designer Sir Giles Gilbert Scott also designed the famous Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

After the power station closed down, a number of suggestions were put forward for its feature. Eventually it was bought by an entrepreneur who planned to gut the inside of the building and turn it into a giant theme park type amusement complex. However as the recession of the late 1980's hit Britain, the rebuilding work stopped.

There are now new plans to house a giant shopping and leisure complex with a 32-screen cinema, inside the shell of the building, due to open in 2001. This may also include theatres, a film studio and a hotel. The surrounding area will also be revitalised and it is hoped that a new rail link to the area will also be created.

The Power Station's other claim to fame is that it appeared on the front cover of the Pink Floyd album "Animals" with a pig flying overhead!

Location: Battersea, London, SW11
Website: www.bitc.org.uk