On this day in 1660: The birth of Sir Hans Sloane, father of the Sloane Ranger Opinion On this day, 16 April, in 1660, Sir Hans Sloane, whose name would later be lent to London socialite class the Sloane Rangers, was born.
On this day 1571: The Royal Exchange is opened Opinion The Royal Exchange was opened by Elizabeth I 455 years ago on this day. Eliot Wilson traces the origins of its success.
Reimagining 50 Fenchurch Street: A Sustainable Tower Rooted in the City’s Heritage Destination City The new development at 50 Fenchurch Street will deliver a 36-fold increase in public space on the ground floor level, with a public roof garden at the 10th floor level, while also providing 60,000 sq m of office space across 35 floors and 800 sq m of retail space. The plans also make provision for the Lambe’s Chapel [...]
On this day: Big Bang hits the Square Mile October 27, 2025 On this day, 27 October 1986: Big Bang hits the Square Mile, and changes the City forever. Eliot Wilson takes us through it.
UK investment: Optimism from Expo Real 2025 October 22, 2025 I recently returned from Expo Real in Munich, where I joined colleagues from Canada Corporation and a UK cities delegation committed to one clear goal: To drive global investment into the UK and deliver the growth this country needs. But the competition is fierce. Cities like New York and Singapore are not [...]
On this day in 1814: The London Beer Flood October 17, 2025 On this day in 1814, the perils of drink would show themselves in an unexpected but deadly way in the London Beer Flood, writes Eliot Wilson.
Unexpected turns: Exploring Canada September 25, 2025 If you really want to get to know Canada, forget the big shiny buildings for a second and just wander. You’ll find old alleyways, odd corners, and a mix of old and new that’s hard to beat. Grab a bite or a drink As Director of the London Archives, I spend my [...]