Westminster City Council is looking for ambitious designers and architects to join design greats such as Harry Beck, Sir Misha Black and Giles Gilbert Scott as creators of a new iconic London landmark.

The council is calling on all highly skilled designers and architects to create a new focal point for the West End as part of a wider project looking to transform street trading across the West End.

The company who best meet the design brief's criteria will be commissioned to design a bespoke kiosk for West End street traders which could be rolled out to 45 kiosks across 18 sites along Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus, and which could become as much a part of London life as the capital's tube map, red buses and black cabs.

Cllr Robert Davis, Westminster City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Built Environment, said: "The West End is undergoing a huge transformation which will ensure come 2012 when the eyes of the world are upon us, it acts as a showcase for the country and is fitting for its status as a world class destination.

"We want a kiosk which reflects the West End's reputation as a leader in creative and cutting-edge design, and this is a unique chance for a talented designers to truly make their mark on one of the greatest cities in the world."

Wally Watson, the Chairman of the West End Street Traders Association, the West End Branch of National Market Traders Federation, said "I am delighted that Westminster City Council has confirmed their commitment to street trading on Oxford Street and we look forward to working with them to develop a world class style of street trading".

The kiosks will be part of the council's wider plans to improve street trading in the West End and will form part of a scheme which should see the entrepreneurial spirit of street traders encouraged by providing them with training and skills to help them make their businesses a success, as well as adding to the world class retail offering which the West End is famous for.

The hope is that the new kiosk design will use some of the innovation shown in the sculpture above New York’s Fashion Center's information kiosk which takes its inspiration from artist Claes Oldenburg and depicts a giant button with a needle through it symbolising the trade from which the area takes its name.

The design will be piloted in Woodstock Street, Lumley Street and Marylebone Lane and Great Titchfield Street with plans for it to be on the streets by autumn 2010.

Architects, industrial designers and designers who wish to be shortlisted to receive tender documents should contact the council to register their interest.

ENDS

Designers wishing register their interest should contact Roger Austin, Programme Manager, on 0207 641 7061 or email: raustin@westminster.gov.uk

The council welcomes creatives across the design world including architects, industrialdesigns, product designers.

• Back to archive