Surrey Quays commissions mural
Published: 04 December, 2008
Surrey Quays shopping centre is celebrating its 20th birthday. Built on the site of what was once one of the world's busiest docks, the shopping centre first opened its doors in October 1988 and became a new landmark on the Rotherhithe peninsula in London's Docklands.
To commemorate the anniversary the centre has commissioned a mural by artist Emma Scutt depicting the changes in the area from Victorian times to the present day. At its centre will be an iconic Thames sailing barge. At one time there were over 2,000 of these vessels in operation but now very few survive.
Centre manager Ian Moore said: "The mural will depict the past, with images of the Surrey docks warehouses that once formed part of the busiest docks in the world, and also the present, with images of the modern London skyline.
"Our birthday isn't just a celebration for the shopping centre; it's for the whole area, and we would really like everyone to celebrate this special occasion with us."
