People’s Plaques & Street History Plaques

As part of the Seven Dials Trust’s policy of integrating street furniture and illuminating the area’s history, it commissioned Steve Denford, Head of Research, Camden History Society and author of ‘The Streets of St Giles’, to research notable historic individuals and institutions from Shaftesbury Avenue down to Long Acre. He identified over 130 names. This list was refined down to 30 by a small monitoring group. The People’s Plaques are installed as sponsorship is secured. Beneath each People’s Plaque, a QR code plaque with the sponsor’s name, leads to more information.

The Trust has also developed five Street History Plaques using the material researched by Steve Denford and Dr J.M. Robinson’s work for the Trust on the area’s history, core streets and buildings. The five plaques have been funded by sponsorship.

The two schemes won the London Forum Media Award: Promoting Local History.

This map sets out the names and positions of the People’s Plaques in both Camden and Westminster

Cilla Black unveiling a plaque to Brian Epstein — The late Cilla Black unveiling the plaque to Brian Epstein.

Press photographers at the unveiling of a plaque to Brian Epstein — International press at unveiling the first plaque, to Brian Epstein.

Press Cutting from West End Extra about the People's Plaque scheme

members of the Trust's Plaque Group sitting around a table, with sample plaque designs — Trust Plaque group discussing the various designs options created by trustee Paul Draper

Artwork for the People's Plaque to John Logie Baird. Text reads John Logie Baird (1888-1946) Made the first television transmissions from this building 1926-28

Artwork for Street History Plaque for The Dials — Street History plaque for The Dials, one of five.

Seven Dials street name plate. Text reads Seven Dials. London Borough of Camden. Mercer Street WC2, formerly Little White Lion Street. — The final design for the Seven Dials street name plates