DISCOVER LONDON’S FIRST POP-UP FOREST IN SEVEN DIALS & ENJOY A CAR-FREE SHOPPING HAVEN IN CENTRAL LONDON
11-5pm, Saturday 21st September 2013
Cars and taxis will be replaced by trees, activities and music when Camden Council plays host to a one-of-a-kind pop-up forest to celebrate walking and cycling as part of International Car Free Day. The unique event will take place in Seven Dials, which boasts over 120 desirable stores and venues.
Saturday 21st September will see a unique spectacle of 60 trees temporarily plotted around the central dial monument in Covent Garden’s shopping village, Seven Dials. The trees of different varieties, all roughly 5metres in height, will sit scattered and canopy-like, providing a spectacular escape from the hustle and bustle of central London. For one day only, the whole of Seven Dials will be transformed into a car-free haven and will be closed to traffic for shoppers to enjoy the area and browse at ease as well as making the most of additional themed goings on in the area.
This year’s International Car Free Day focuses on the very topical issue of air pollution, with road closure events taking place around the world. This Camden Council initiative is to encourage people to walk and cycle more, using greener modes of travel to improve health and reduce pollution. Just one day rid of cars in the heart of the village of Seven Dials could see pollution levels in the area drop by around 50%*.
The lovely people fromThe London Orchard Project will be on hand to offer a refreshing thirst quencher at theirOrchard Juice Bar as well as bringing to light the benefits of planting fruit trees in urban spaces.
Kings College London will be there with fun air quality activities and advice, helping visitors to create unique “Breath Drawings”, and showing people how to find out what pollution levels are like around their homes.
Camden Council will be showcasing their new “Air Quality Bubble Map”, which will highlight how easy it is to walk and cycle within a one mile “bubble” of their homes, schools or workplaces.
If your bike is in need of a little TLC thenDr Bike will be on hand to sort out any injuries at no cost to you. Free cycle maintenance and anti-theft bike marking will be carried out between 11am – 5pm, just bring your bike!
The streets of Seven Dials will also see plenty of activity including children’s face painting, floor art and live music to keep you entertained throughout the day.
In addition, to mark this event Seven Dials will be host to a number of exciting activities throughout the day to get involved with. Stores will also be offering one-off discounts, gifts with purchase plus much more. So be sure to visit your favourite Seven Dials retailers including Lee Jeans, adidas originals, Peter Werth, Foxhall London, Miller Harris, and many more.
Once the day is over all trees will be moved and planted in new plots across the borough of Camden for people to enjoy on a permanent basis. So support the scheme, give up your car for the day and come and visit the only pop-up forest in the heart of London.
For further information or images, please contact:Scarlett Santi-Brooks or Lizzie Coan at Threepipe on0207 632 4800 orsevendials@threepipe.co.uk
EDITOR’S NOTES
About Seven Dials:Seven Dials, London, brings you seven streets of independent boutiques, heritage brands and indulgent beauty and grooming salons all carefully selected for shoppers of discerning taste. Stores to love in the area include Poste Mistress, Coco De Mer, Orion London, Diesel, Fred Perry, adidas Originals, Murdock London, Unconditional +, Kiehl’s, Orla Kiely, Neal’s Yard Remedies and Magma. The Seven Dials village is also home to food and drink from around the globe. From traditional English pubs and bustling cafés, such as Canela and Monmouth Coffee Company to exotic restaurants, 5-star brasseries and restaurants including The Ivy, Hawksmoor Seven Dials and Kopapa, Seven Dials has something to cater for all. Alongside its stylish residents, Seven Dials also boasts a rich heritage; from Dickensian times through to the offices of Monty Python’s Flying Circus – be sure to take a look at their famous blue plaque when you’re next in the area. Seven Dials – Original. Modern. Stylish. www.sevendials.co.uk
* Pollution levels on some of London’s most congested streets can be as much as 50% worse than in nearby backstreets, as much of the pollution in central London is caused by road traffic, and levels drop very quickly as you move from the roadside. The streets in Seven Dials certainly aren’t the busiest in London, but by closing them for the day and replacing cars with trees, air pollution in the closed streets will be dramatically reduced. Kings College London will be on hand on the day with some fascinating facts about the significant impact that past road closures have had on pollutions levels.