Economist.com Cities Guide: London Briefing - August 2005

News this month

Trigger happy

Leaked documents and video footage have suggested that a young Brazilian man shot dead by police on July 22nd, the morning after the failed, second set of bomb attacks on London, may have been killed in cold blood. Previous reports said that Jean Charles Menezes was chased by police into Stockwell tube station, where he was shot during a struggle. It was said that police wrongly assumed that Mr Menezes’s heavy clothing concealed a suicide-bomb.

But new evidence, seemingly leaked from the Independent Police Complaints Commission, paints a different picture. Not only does it reveal that Mr Menezes was not chased, but also that he was not wearing any heavy clothing. It also seems the 27-year-old was not positively identified as a suspect and had already been restrained when he was shot eight times.

Mr Menezes’s family has called for a full judicial inquiry into the killing and for the suspension of the “shoot-to-kill” policy for terrorist suspects used by London’s police. Figures released by the British Transport Police, meanwhile, showed that people of Asian appearance were five times more likely to be stopped and searched than other passengers, in the month after the first bomb attacks.

Going nowhere

An unofficial strike at Heathrow Airport affected tens of thousands of travellers in early August. The dispute began when Gate Gourmet, a caterer supplying British Airways (BA), sacked 670 of its workers in a row over pay and conditions. Members of the carrier’s ground staff then went on strike in sympathy, forcing the airline to cancel hundreds of flights. An estimated 70,000 passengers were affected over the weekend, with hundreds forced to spend an uncomfortable night at the airport.

The row couldn’t have come at a worse time for Britain’s tourism industry, which is struggling in the wake of the London bombings. It has also damaged BA’s reputation and may cost up to £40m ($72m) in lost revenues. But, as usual, the biggest losers could be the inconvenienced passengers. Despite new European Union laws that have beefed up protection for travellers, it seems the strike could be deemed an “extraordinary circumstance”, which would exempt BA from paying compensation.

Last orders

London’s vibrant bar and pub scene is set for a shake-up when the Licensing Act takes effect on November 23rd. The government is hoping a move to longer, “continental-style” drinking hours will curb binge drinking and its associated social problems. But this view is not shared by senior judges and policemen, who warned in August of the potential for increased law-breaking.

In central London, where hundreds of pubs and bars already stay open into the small hours, it’s hard to see what difference the act will make. But it’s another story in mainly residential areas. There, fears about increased disorder have led to a number of high-profile campaigns to stop local boozers from extending their hours. Local councils will have great flexibility in choosing how to grant these licences, but some doubt whether they will use these powers effectively.

Sky's the limit

Despite the ravages of the Blitz and a spasm of tower-block building in the 1970s, London’s distinctive low-rise skyline is still recognisably similar to Canaletto’s 18th-century paintings. But plans for new high-rise developments are raising fears that the capital could be transformed into an architectural pin-cushion. Fuelling the debate was a controversial government decision in late July to grant planning approval for a 49-storey block of flats at the southern end of Vauxhall Bridge. In doing so, the government twice overruled planning inspectors and ignored protests from conservation groups.

The tower’s backers—among them Ken Livingstone, the mayor—argue that high-rise buildings will help solve London’s shortage of affordable housing. But in this case, most of the flats will be for rich people. Critics, one of whom branded the government’s decision “epic in its dumbness”, also point out there is plenty of land suitable for high-density, low-rise building in other parts of the city. But they and other protestors face an uphill struggle: one thing this battle has shown is that London’s famous views have scant legal protection.

Aussie rules?

The long-running takeover battle for the London Stock Exchange (LSE) took another turn on August 15th when an Australian investment bank announced it was considering a joint bid. Macquarie Bank, which has expanded aggressively overseas in recent years, said its bid would probably be in cash and be part of a consortium. News of the bank’s interest caused shares in the LSE to jump by nearly 4% to £5.73.

Bids from two European exchange groups, Deutsche Börse and Euronext, were meanwhile dealt a blow by Britain’s Competition Commission. On July 29th it said that “remedies” would be needed if either group were to buy the LSE: most likely, the acquirer would have to sever its trading and clearing and settlement activities. The Commission’s final verdict is expected in November. Newspapers are also reporting that Sweden’s main exchange, OMX, which unsuccessfully bid for the LSE in 2000, could join the line of suitors.

Catch if you can

September 2005

“The President of an Empty Room” and “Mary Stuart”

Until August 27th 2005 and September 3rd 2005 respectively
Two plays are demanding attention this late August. "The President of an Empty Room", a new play by Steven Knight at the National Theatre, takes place over the course of one day in a Cuban cigar factory. The finest cigar-roller is a young heroin addict, played by Paul Hilton, who finds himself in charge of the factory the day after his girlfriend has left him. Voodoo, dancing, music, cigar smoke and talk of democracy fuel the play. The stalls are arranged around the stage, which makes for a vibrant audience experience.

Meanwhile, across the river, “Mary Stuart” at the Donmar Warehouse depicts an earlier time of terror and religious war, when the political leadership of England must decide whether to suspend the rule of law. Friedrich Schiller, who wrote the original play, can be ponderous, but Peter Oswald's new version never is. The wonderful performances, contrasted by the set's intense austerity, make this the best London play this season. Advance tickets are sold out, but ten seats and about 20 standing places are available each morning. Arrive at about 8am and you'll probably get a seat, or check the website for last-minute, single tickets. Your patience will be well rewarded.

Royal National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1. Tube: Waterloo. For tickets call +44 (0)20 7452-3000 or see the theatre's website.

Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham St, London WC2H. Tube: Covent Garden. See the theatre's website. For tickets call +44 (0)870 060 6624 or visit Ticketmaster's website.

More from the London cultural calendar