Economist.com Cities Guide: London Briefing - February 2006

News this month

Locked up

One-eyed and hook-handed, Abu Hamza looks more like a cartoon pirate than a terrorist mastermind. But on February 7th an Old Bailey jury found the Muslim cleric guilty of soliciting murder, possessing a “terrorist encyclopedia” and inciting racial hatred when preaching at a mosque in north London. For his crimes Mr Hamza received a seven-year sentence. On his release, he will probably be extradited to the United States to face yet more charges.

The time taken to put Mr Hamza behind bars has drawn criticism. The police say they approached crown prosecutors more than once and were turned down for lack of admissible evidence. David Blunkett, the home secretary, claims the authorities failed to act for fear of offending Muslims. Dozens of extremists are known to have attended Mr Hamza’s hate-filled sermons at Finsbury Park mosque, and some newspapers have claimed the three July 7th bombers were among them. In January 2003, a search of the premises uncovered a stun gun, CS spray, blank-firing pistols, false passports, knives and other suspect items. The news of Mr Hamza’s conviction was welcomed by mainstream Muslim groups.

Boiling over

The wave of Muslim anger sweeping Europe after the publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad reached London on February 3rd. A crowd of about 600 protestors gathered outside the Danish embassy in Sloane Square to chant slogans (including “9/11, we want more”) and wave placards demanding the execution of the cartoonists. The next day a man, later revealed to be a convicted criminal, turned up to another anti-Danish protest dressed as a suicide bomber.

The police made no arrests at the time, but following complaints they are now studying photographs with a view to prosecuting those who incited murder. The rabble-rousing demonstrations were also condemned by mainstream Muslim groups, with the chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee insisting the crowd “did not represent British Muslims”. A counter-protest took place on February 11th, when several thousand Muslims gathered in Trafalgar Square under the slogan “United Against Incitement and Islamophobia”.

A grand departure

A horde of wiry, lycra-clad men is set to descend on the capital in the summer of 2007, as London has won the right to host the start of the Tour de France. The world’s most famous bicycle race will begin with an 8km time trial through central London on July 7th, a date chosen to mark the anniversary of the 2005 bombings. The next day, cyclists will pedal out of London for a 209km-long stage through Kent that finishes in Canterbury. London’s tourist chiefs are hoping the event will not only draw millions to the city, but will reaffirm its reputation as a safe and attractive tourist destination.

For this privilege the mayor, Ken Livingstone, says London has paid the princely sum of £3.6m ($6.3m)—though he argues the bid’s cost will be repaid at a rate of “ten to one”. London’s swelling ranks of cyclists can certainly expect to benefit from the Tour’s arrival. Ahead of the 2012 Olympics, plans have been unveiled for a £190m scheme to improve London’s cycle routes—at the centre of which is a proposed £40m bridge spanning the Thames a short way downriver from the Limehouse Basin.

Star Wars

Since opening in the 1950s, the copper-domed London Planetarium on Baker Street has enthralled thousands of schoolchildren with its light shows exploring the mysteries of the universe. But this tradition will end abruptly in July when the shows make way for a new film about celebrities and fame in the renamed auditorium. “People just weren’t interested in attending the space shows”, explained the marketing director of Madame Tussauds, the company that runs the attraction. The news has been criticised by schoolteachers and astronomers, with some suggesting the decision is yet another example of society’s “dumbing down”.

But London's star-gazers still have cause for celebration. A gift of £3m from a technology entrepreneur, Peter Harrison, means that a new, £15m planetarium at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich will be built. The 120-seat venue will be three times the size of the previous one on the site, which closed in 2004 after 40 years of service. With a state-of-the-art technology show, live commentary and teaching by astronomy experts, it seems the Royal Observatory will become the new destination for star-struck students.

Saving “Ally Pally”

Alexandra Palace in north London is set for a new lease on life after its trustees confirmed they had chosen an investment partner for the landmark site. The “People’s Palace”, which sits on a hilltop amid 196 acres of wooded parkland, has been partially derelict since fire struck in 1980. But under a deal agreed in late January between Haringey Council and a millionaire businessman, Firoz Kassam, it could now be transformed, with new leisure facilities, a hotel, bars, restaurants and a museum. Mr Kassam, the boss of a company named Firoka, already owns hotels and Oxford United football club.

The deal was welcomed by opponents of a rival bid that would have seen car parks commandeered and part of the palace transformed into residential property. But concern over the long-term future of “Ally Pally” remains—especially the future of a museum of television history housed in the structure. Whatever happens, Mr Kassam should hope history does not repeat itself: when the attraction first opened in 1873, it was destroyed by fire after just two weeks.

Catch if you can

February 2006

Benjamin Franklin House

From February 1st 2006

A former home of Benjamin Franklin has been renovated and turned into a museum. This four-storey, 18th-century house, just off Trafalgar Square, was Franklin's home for nearly 16 years (between 1757-1762 and 1764-1775). One of the founders of the United States, Franklin was also a philosopher, inventor and printer. During his years in London, he acted as a diplomat, working to maintain political ties between the American colonies and Britain. The museum's curators call this building the “first de facto US Embassy”.

After a £3m ($5.3m) renovation, the house is opening to the public, with a multimedia “historical experience” that aims to capture Franklin's life and times, an archive of his letters and papers, a small science centre and a “scholarship centre”, with changing exhibitions.

36 Craven St, London WC1. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7930-9121. Open: Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. For further details, visit the museum's website.

More from the London cultural calendar