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Manager Crispin Weir at Regent Sounds Studio; right, the narrow ‘Tin Pan Alley’ that is Denmark Street |
‘Tin Pan Alley’ fears bendy bus blight
BE warned: if you find yourself in one of Denmark Street’s legendary music stores asking for Lou Reed’s “Busload of Faith”, don’t be surprised to get a banjo around the head.
Transport for London have announced plans to divert bendy buses down the narrow parade of music shops for seven years, hitting a sour note among shop owners.
They claim the buses will destroy the area’s heritage.
Crispin Weir, manager of Regent Sounds Studio, said: “The music heritage of this particular area is being wiped out. There is no thought for the businesses or for the historical relevance of the street. The day-to-day running of the shop will be impossible.”
Just off Charing Cross Road, Denmark Street is often known as Tin Pan Alley because of its parallels with New York’s famous music district, housing numerous shops and publishers.
It was where the Rolling Stones recorded their debut album in 1964.
Under the plans to ease congestion around Tottenham Court Road during the station expansion for Crossrail, routes 24, 29, N29 and N279 will be sent down the street for seven years – resulting in pavement-narrowing and loss of parking and loading space.
Owners are outraged, claiming not only will it destroy the area but it will also damage business.
BJ Rowe, owner of independent Wunjo Guitar Shop said: “It’s going to create a horrible atmosphere when you see that big, long bus coming down there,” he said.
Andy Rowberry, manager of Rhodes Music, said: “Works are always extremely badly planned and ill thought out. At no point does anyone come here and talk to us. We’re all up for seeing it done up a bit, but none of it’s done to benefit the heritage of the area.”
Although residents on St Giles High Street were informed by letter on October 2, many shop owners said they only heard about the plans later.
TfL deny springing the changes on the street unannounced. They said: “We are committed to keeping local people informed, and this is why we held a public exhibition in Store Street earlier this year targeted specifically at local residents and businesses so that they could gain a greater understanding of how the plans to improve the station will affect them.
“A letter explaining the proposed bus service changes was sent out to local residents and businesses on Shaftesbury Avenue and St Giles High Street about the proposed changes. Concurrent to this, a separate letter was sent out specifically to Denmark Street.”
The Music World group, which owns seven of the shops in Denmark Street, plan to send a letter of complaint and a petition signed by local residents and workers.
Anyone who wishes to comment on the plans can email Peter Bradley at Stengagement@tfl. gov.uk until November 7. |
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