Battersea Power Station officially opens to public

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

Battersea Power Station has officially opened to the public for the first time, after 10 years of restoration.

The power station is being unveiled as part of a massive £9bn redevelopment project to create a new riverside neighbourhood.

Visitors can now explore the landmark, nearly 40 years after its lights were switched off.

They can visit the first of its shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues, as well as a Christmas ice rink, from November umtil January with a massive 30ft Christmas tree.

The Grade-II listed power station opened with a countdown in Malaysia Square on Friday.

It kicked off a free five-day festival with family activities and live entertainment from October 14 to 16 and October 22 to 23, including walkabout performers, acrobats and brand pop-ups.

The redevelopment also includes thousands of new homes, shops, bars, restaurants, cafés, offices and more than 19 acres of public space.

But Wandsworth Labour is boycotting the opening after raising concerns about the development’s low level of social housing.

The party won control of the council from the Conservatives for the first time in 44 years in May. It has long criticised the level of affordable housing in the scheme, which stands at nine per cent after being slashed from 15 per cent.

There have been several failed attempts to redevelop the site after the power station was decommissioned in 1983.

The power station once supplied a fifth of London’s electricity to places including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, after first generating power in 1933.

The power station’s four famous white chimneys were dismantled and rebuilt during the huge restoration project.

Simon Murphy, chief executive of the Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: “Many said it was impossible, several tried and failed, however through the commitment of our shareholders and with the support of many public and private sector stakeholders in the UK, we’ve succeeded in bringing Battersea Power Station back to life so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

“This opening is a fantastic boost for the local economy, creating more than 2,500 jobs through the many shops, restaurants, offices and leisure venues opening here, as well as providing a new destination for London.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “particularly delighted” to see the power station open as a South Londoner.

He said: “This redevelopment of a 20^th century London landmark has already helped to deliver new investment, vital transport links and jobs for local people.

“Battersea Power Station will now breathe new life into this part of London, attracting more investment and boosting our economy as we build a better London for everyone.”

Pictured top: Battersea Power Station (Picture: Charlie Round-Turner)