New lights tailored to old street

London's historic Savile Row is to get an autumn makeover which will take it back to the era of gaslight.

Special electric street lights designed for Parliament Square in the 1950s to replicate Victorian gas lamps will make a reappearance.

The street will also be cleared of signage clutter and old posts, in a Westminster City Council initiative.

Savile Row houses 17 tailors making over 3,000 bespoke suits a year, with an annual £21m turnover.

The street's stores attract the rich and famous from all over the world, claiming Winston Churchill, Napoleon III and Ian Fleming amongst its exclusive clientele, as well as Prince Charles, Jude Law and Daniel Craig.

Nearly 400 people are employed in the tailoring industry in the West End - over 60% are skilled craftsmen, tailors and cutters. About 100 are employed on or near Savile Row itself.

Mark Henderson, Chairman of Savile Row Bespoke, said: "Savile Row is a precious and unique part of London providing a unique luxury product for which people travel from all over the world.

"We are delighted with the new lamps, which are perfectly suited to reflect the street's excellence and prestigious heritage."

The new lighting columns will line the eastern side of the street only, with those on the western side being removed entirely for street design reasons.

The number of lamps illuminating Savile Row will rise from eight to 11 and will result in an overall improvement in the level and quality of lighting on the street, the council said.

The scheme will cost just over £72,000 and will be largely funded by the area's landlord, The Pollen Estate, which will provide £50,000.

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Westminster City Council
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