Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a major road junction and public space in London's West End.

It is located within the City of Westminster. The term "circus" comes from the Latin word for "circle." In urban planning, this refers to a round open space where several streets meet. This specific junction serves as a vital link for many important roads. It connects Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, the Haymarket, Coventry Street, and Glasshouse Street.

Because it sits at the heart of the West End, it is a primary hub for shopping and entertainment. This central location makes it a famous meeting place for locals and a major attraction for tourists.

The junction functions as a complex traffic interchange. It handles high volumes of vehicles exiting from the Piccadilly thoroughfare. To manage this movement, the Circus became a one-way roundabout on July 19, 1926. Shortly after, on August 3, 1926, the first traffic lights were installed to direct the flow. Underneath the pedestrian plaza, the Piccadilly Circus tube station provides underground access. This station is part of the London Underground system. It opened on March 10, 1906, on the Bakerloo line. Later that same year, the Piccadilly line also began serving the station. To handle increasing passenger numbers, the station underwent an extensive rebuild in 1928.

Many notable landmarks surround the Circus. The London Pavilion and the Criterion Theatre are two prominent buildings nearby.

Another significant feature is the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. This fountain was erected in 1893 to honor the philanthropist Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury.

The fountain features a statue that many people mistakenly call Eros. However, the statue actually represents Anteros. The fountain has a history of being moved. It was moved in 1922 to allow for the construction of the new tube station. It was moved again during the Second World War and replaced by advertising hoardings. It finally returned to the Circus in 1948. In the late 1980s, it was moved to its current position at the southwestern corner.

The history of the area involves many name changes over several centuries. The name Piccadilly first appeared in 1626 as Piccadilly Hall. This was the name of a house belonging to Robert Baker. Baker was a tailor who sold piccadills, which were various types of collars. In 1692, the street was known as Portugal Street to honor Queen Catherine of Braganza. By 1743, the name Piccadilly had become standard. The Circus itself was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly. At that time, the intersection was called Regent Circus South. It did not officially become known as Piccadilly Circus until the mid-1880s. This change followed the construction of Shaftesbury Avenue and the rebuilding of the Regent Street Quadrant.

One of the most famous aspects of the Circus is its bright advertising.

The first electric advertisements appeared in 1908. In 1923, electric billboards were added to the facade of the London Pavilion. The technology used for these signs has changed many times. Early signs used incandescent light bulbs, which were later replaced by neon lights. The first neon sign was for a meat extract called Bovril. In 1998, digital projectors were introduced for a Coca-Cola sign. This was the first digital billboard in the square. By the 2000s, the area transitioned to LED displays. These eventually replaced all neon lamps by 2011.

The advertising space has seen significant technological upgrades. In 2017, the six remaining advertising screens were replaced. They were combined into one large, ultra-high definition curved Daktronics display.

This new screen was switched on on October 26, 2017. Before this, different companies occupied various spots. For example, a Samsung sign used LED technology that was upgraded in 2011. A Hyundai Motors sign launched in 2011, replacing a Sanyo sign. Other companies like Burberry and L'Oreal have also used these spaces. The area has even hosted unique displays, such as a quote from John Lennon in 2002. This display was paid for by his widow, Yoko Ono, at an estimated cost of £150,000.

Throughout its history, Piccadilly Circus has faced various challenges and proposed changes. During World War II, the area was a busy site for American soldiers. This led to the nickname "Piccadilly Commandos" for the many prostitutes roaming the area. The junction has also been a target for terrorism. Explosions occurred in 1939, 1974, and 1992. In the 1960s, there were plans for massive redevelopment. Lord Holford proposed a "double-decker" Circus in 1962. This plan included an elevated pedestrian concourse above a lower traffic deck. Another 1972 scheme suggested three octagonal towers. However, the government rejected these plans. The main reason was that the Holford plan only increased traffic by 20%. The government required a 50% increase. Consequently, the Circus escaped major redevelopment and remains a historic landmark.