If It's Good Enough for Eros
They used to call Piccadilly Circus 'the hub of the Empire,' when we still had an Empire. Londoners still believe it to be the centre of the world. But the surrounding architecture is generally undistinguished and increasingly shabby. A vortex of traffic swirls ceaselessly round Eros and amusement arcades, hot-dog parlours and shops flogging trashy souvenirs encompass two sides of the Circus.
Philip Howard looks at the history of Piccadilly Circus to discover why we hold it so dear and why its extraordinary medley of diverse activities, excitement and people makes Piccadilly Circus feel like the centre of the world.