LowdowN

Snapshot

Each issue delve with us into a different area and see what makes London the best city in the world! This month we go in-depth with Stratford.

Stratford

Newham Council
Web: www.newham.gov.uk/
Phone: 020 8430 2000

The chosen site for the 2012 Olympic Village and, having undergone something of a renaissance in recent years, Stratford is a veritable mix of old and new where the traditional East End meets the bustling business culture of the Capital. Moving away from old heavy industry, and fully embracing redevelopment (the Olympic Games being the perfect catalyst), the area is fast becoming a significant commercial and cultural centre with fantastic transport links to the City and Docklands business parks.

With just 2 years to go until London hosts the 2010 Olympic Games and Stratford becomes the epicentre of British hope and all things sporting, the area has been a recent hive of activity and development works – getting a real ‘East End facelift for the future’! The Olympic stadium is rapidly taking shape and is already a record breaker; with an 80,000 strong capacity (55,000 seats being removable), a stadium with such a large removable element and mix of permanent and temporary seating has never been attempted before. Situated in the Olympic Park, the stadium sits on an ‘island’ site surrounded by waterways on 3 sides and can be reached by spectators via 5 bridges.

Another project, flying along ahead of schedule, is the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. Dubbed the ‘gateway’ to the Olympic Park, the centre is scheduled to open in the second half of 2011 and will be the seasoned shopper’s heaven – anchored by John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, with more than 300 glossy new shops and restaurants in between. With new offices, residential developments and hotels to boot, the site will make Westfield Stratford City the largest urban shopping centre in Europe.

Stratford has become a significant transport hub with connections on the DLR and Central and Jubilee underground lines – connecting the area to Canary Wharf in just 11 mins and Bank in 12mins.  Stratford also has a network of overground rail services on the East London Line and is the eastern terminus of the North London line. Stratford International Station has frequent high-speed trains to and from London St Pancras International and stations in Kent with free connecting services for Eurostar travelers. 

Not forgetting life before the Olympics, Stratford has its own Cultural quarter and is home to a number of arts venues, bars and cafes including Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Picture House cinema and performing arts centre Stratford Circus. Late night haunts include The Rex nightclub, while the area has an array of traditional boozers to enjoy a pint and watch all the action.

Stratford has been the location for numerous films, notably ‘Sparrows Can’t Sing’ (1963) and ‘Bronco Bullfrog’ (1970). The promotional film for the Beatles’ ‘Penny Lane’ single was filmed in and around Angel Lane.