Seeds sown at Covent Garden

A bid to woo Londoners back to Covent Garden Market could represent a boon for designers, with a new logo, identity, marketing literature, signage and lighting all under consideration for the area.

The work is being mooted by Nelson Bakewell, the company that manages the market, which says the area has become a ‘tourist trap lacking relevance’ for Londoners.

Nelson Bakewell retail marketing director Alan Thornton says, ‘Covent Garden hasn’t been given much TLC in the past ten years.’

He adds that work on the centre will focus on wayfinding and lighting. A new logo is also being mooted, as is a possible name change. ‘We feel the name could be made more appealing by changing it from Covent Garden Market to Covent Garden Piazza.’

The company is also seeking a ‘top notch’ US or European fashion retailer to take flagship store space at the 43 King Street site.

It’s understood that Terence Conran may become involved in the project.