Bow Street

London Policing Museum 'The Beat'

New proposals for the conversion of the former Bow Street Police Station to a museum of the history and current activities of the London's Metropolitan Police have recently been published. There has been much support for such a museum and the need for the preservation of such an integral part of London's history, but there has also been considerable opposition from nearby residents who fear that the proposals will make their life even more difficult.

The beautiful Victorian building, home to much history and dating back to 1876, when it consisted of just a few shops and a pub, has been through a lot of interesting and historically important changes since it first became a police station in 1881. The upper floors were once used as large dormitories for Police Officers. Other changes were made inside the historical site as time passed, including in 1915 when the reality and turmoil of war required a temporary building to be built for the registration of aliens.

The need to preserve the building and the history of the Police's care of it's citizens and visitors is important to the Met. If the proposal is accepted, the project will become known as 'The Beat.' Inside, the museum will focus on explaining modern policing, allowing interactive experiences of police tasks, and showing a variety of police memorabilia. The museum, which would attract Londoners and tourists alike, would allow visitors to be immersed in trying out police tasks. They would feel the emotions of the difficult work, hear stories of past policing, and gain knowledge on the effect of technology in this vital profession.

In order to fund this project the developers claim it is necessary to construct an office building in the open yard of the former Police station to pay for the majority of the costs of the museum. Residents living in Martlett Court, immediately behind the building, are understandably concerned. The proposed new building is likely to reduce light, give a sense of enclosure and introduce other unwanted elements to the vicinity. Residents and the CGCA are in close liaison with the developers to ensure all concerns are addressed before a definitive planning application is submitted.

Contacts:
Andrew Thorburn
Tel: 01273 480996
Email: thorburn@thebeat.org.uk
http://www.thebeat.org.uk/

Article and photos by Carey Gordon

© Covent Garden Community Association, March 2001

 

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