NEW PICCADILLY CIRCUS

Shannon News, 24 August 1923, Page 2

NEW PICCADILLY CIRCUS

FAMOUS FOUNTAIN MAY GO

l Plans have now been completed for I the reconstruction, above and below ground, of Piccadilly Circus, one of the most famous traffic centres in the world. . . . . Tliq plans provide for setting back the frontages at the Swan and Edgar corner of Piccadilly and Regent street, setting hack the County Fire Office corner of Regent street and Windmill street, the construction of. subways, and a large central underground tuha station. They necessitate the removal of the most notable feature of file circus, the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. It. is understood that the Westminster City authorities favour its removal to the I.eicester-square garden. . In this event another home must he found for the Shakespeare Monument which now occupies the centre of Leicester square. . The Piccadilly Circus fountain, wnli its little. Eros.‘God of Love, and his bow, was erected in 1893 as a memorial to “the good earl,” Lord Shaftesbury, whoso philanthropic work lor the poor was the admiration of the mid-Victorian world. HAPHAZARD BUILDING. Architects and others concerned with, the beautification of cities view with obneern the haphazard manner i n which rebuilding is taking place m i ondon, and that the Government, should appoint, a commission of experts to guide, and advise owners and offhers in thoir hail ding so that the new London which is arising out of the old may be a worthy, Imperial city.