800 Saxophonists Do Their Thing in the City

As part of the City of London Festival, 800 Saxophonists took to the streets on Sunday to create the Leviathan - a work of living, monumental art. Snake line processions started at the City’s four historic gates - Bishopsgate, Ludgate, Aldgate and Moorgate - before arriving together at London Bridge where they performed a new piece of music composed by music  composed by John Harle.

The Leviathan was caught on camera by the excellent London SE1 website.

Big Queues at Moorgate Marks and Spencer

To mark 125 years of trading, Marks and Spencer has returned to its roots as a penny bazaar today with many bargains to be had in store for just 1p.

Hopefuly shoppers queued outside M&S in Moorgate for over an hour this morning to get their hands on bargains.

Were you one of the bargain hunters? Did you get any great buys for just a penny? Use the comments form below and let us know what you got…

Here’s Marks and Spencers latest advert, starring Twiggy, to celebrate it’s 125th anniversary.

8-10 Moorgate Development Approved

Property Week reports that a planned development at 8-10 Moorgate has been approved by the City of London Corporation.

The development by Stanhope would see the demolition of three buildings and the creation of a single building “with 164,442 sq ft of office space, one retail unit and nine flats”. If it goes ahead, the development would retain the 1920s facade currentlty in place.

More information is available at the Stanhope website.

Thameslink Moorgate Branch Line Closes

The Thameslink branch line between Farringdon and Moorgate is set to close for good today.  Commuters into the City who used this service will now need to walk from Farringdon or use a tube or bus.

First Capital Connect Managing Director Elaine Holt said: “The closure of the Thameslink Moorgate branch line is an unfortunate but necessary part of the Government-funded Thameslink Programme to reduce overcrowding. In commemorating the end of the line we are celebrating the beginning of the transformation of another – the key cross-London Bedford to Brighton Thameslink route.

“Network Rail can now start rebuilding in earnest key stations at Blackfriars and Farringdon for 50% longer 12-carriage trains. It will mean disruption for our customers but we will do our utmost to help them through this.”

Find out more from First Capital Connect.

Moorgate Musings - pt 1

The new Starbucks down at the Bank end of Moorgate, which seems to have taken for ever to finish, is now open for business. Whether you do or don’t like Starbucks it should at least demonstrate Alan Coren’s Sainsburys Effect on the neighbouring establishments:
“The only thing I know about Sainsburys is that it keeps the riff-raff out of Waitrose”.

Directly opposite Starbucks Bluu Brasserie is advertising 50% off wine so if you need something to get the taste of Starbucks out of your mouth then a quick crawl across the road can sort you out. I’m sure that “terms & conditions apply” so do read the small print before you crack open the Moet but as I haven’t been in there myself any of your observations are welcome.

Lastly, in the “old news” section I couldn’t resist a mention for the new Pret A Manger on Coleman Street which is not only very nice indeed but is also quite quiet being tucked away behind Moorgate in Coleman Street. They’ve demonstrated to Starbucks, who I hope were paying attention, how to open a nice new establishment without taking months to finish it.