Xtra Diary: Garden resistance - 180 years of Covent Garden Market

Published: 16 April 2010

THERE was a time when bumper-to-bumper Reliant Robins were a familiar site in Covent Garden market – the vehicle of choice for the fruit and veg sellers who made the hustling plaza their home.

Now it houses up-market bistros and souvenir shops – an emporium of commerce – the latest chapter in the 180 years since the flagstone market building has been there.

When it was designed it sent ripples across architectural London and has inspired many a London portrait and literary backdrop. 

The group that manages the area, Covent Garden London, is celebrating the milestone with a series of events, the most exciting of which will see an “creative in residence” installed. From his vantage point in the plaza, poet and  playwright Inua Ellams will be gathering the memories of people past and present and transcribing them into a series of short stories, poems and drawings. 

He is inviting people to upload their favourite images of the area to a special website and create a photography wall for display later in the year. 

Visit www.coventgardenlondon.co.uk