![]() ![]() The Conservative was also a former leader of the council. Melvyn Caplan served as a councillor for Little Venice Ward from 1990. "The Mound may delight or divide views and that's ok, but we're confident that in the end it will fulfil its original brief - to get people back into the West End and remind them of why this is a world class City." So when the Mound fully reopens in September, I hope that people will come and see it for themselves. Ms Robathan's statement went on: "We are determined to continue our hard work to restore our city's vibrancy, bring back visitors and ensure people can keep their jobs," Ms Robathan said on Friday. ![]() Prices to walk up the mound had ranged from £4.50 to £8 for adults. On Friday, the council announced that tickets for the mound would be free for August. The Mound is due to be deconstructed, a process which could take up to four months, with the materials - including trees and plants - reused.It is part of a scheme to increase footfall in the shopping district as London looks to recover from lockdown restrictions. It also found “robust” processes were “circumvented - driven by the desire to open The Mound as soon as possible” - a failure which the council admitted was “unacceptable". The review concluded a series of errors in judgment, coupled with a “lack of sufficient oversight”, led to the failure. Visitors are able to ascend the structure via a path to see what the council described as “views never seen before by the wider public”.īut, following an internal review, the council apologised and said it “must learn the lessons of The Mound project”. The Mound, as the name suggests, was covered with grass and young trees after it was erected beside the Marble Arch monument. Those visitors have gone on to spend money in shops, bars and restaurants across the West End - helping local businesses to get back on their feet.” “We’re really pleased that nearly 250,000 visitors have come to Westminster to see The Mound and the terrific light exhibition inside. With footfall slashed and near total loss of overseas tourists, many businesses have faced oblivion. “Central London’s economy has suffered more than any other area during the pandemic. PA.Ī council representative said: “The Mound has done what it was built to do - drawn crowds and supported the recovery in the West End. Tickets first cost up to £8 but entry was made free following the initial negative reaction from tourists.ĭespite the poor reception, the hill has had about 250,000 visitors.Īn estimated quarter of a million people visited the attraction following its opening. It was part of a plan to increase footfall in the shopping district as lockdown restrictions eased. The Mound, planned by Dutch architect company MVRDV, was designed to give views of the capital’s Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Mayfair and Marylebone. ![]() In 2021 the Marble Arch Mound, a temporary viewing platform, was opened at the site. One branded it “the worst thing I’ve ever done in London” while others made mocking remarks, including comparing it to an abandoned theme park.Ĭouncil leader Rachael Robathan announced in August her deputy Melvyn Caplan had resigned with immediate effect after the “totally unacceptable” rise in costs. The arch also stands close to the former site of the Tyburn gallows (sometimes called 'Tyburn Tree'), a place of public execution from 1388 until 1793. The attraction opened last July in conjunction with the easing of Covid restrictions, with organisers hoping it would bring people back to central. Refunds were offered the day after it opened to the public on July 26 following what the authority called “teething problems”, with visitors complaining it was still a building site. The 25m high man-made mound, which sits near Marble Arch, was roundly criticised by visitors unhappy at its appearance and being charged a fee to look at a partially obscured view over the capital. ![]()
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