Shell has entertaining plans for South Bank

Anglo-Dutch oil company Shell plans to turn a large part of its London head office on the South Bank into an entertainment centre by 2003.

Shell has designed a brochure in-house outlining its proposals, which have also been put on the Internet and sent to Lambeth Town Hall. Libraries in the area will also have copies available, while leaflets are being posted to houses in the borough.

“We want to carry out a consultancy process before we submit a planning application, which we hope to do by the end of the year,” says a Shell spokeswoman.

“The idea is that space is opened up for the public which will include a cinema, restaurants, a supermarket and a health club.”

Architect Zeidler Roberts Partnership is involved in the current consultation, though no design groups have yet been approached.

However, the spokeswoman does not rule out any involvement by design groups further down the line. “As we go forward, we will take a view of what experts we need,” she explains.