The Xtra Diary - Egypt and Cairo - Celebrations this week in Tahrir Square

Published: 18 February, 2011

CELEBRATIONS this week in Tahrir Square... and Church Street Market and Bell Street. 

Egyptian traders in Westminster have been anxiously watching Al Jazeera out of the corner of their eyes during the revolutionary events of the past few weeks – and if not exactly convinced things will change for the better in their homeland, many are, at least, cautiously optimistic. 

“I don’t think Egypt will be better, but it won’t be worse,” said one fruit and vegetable stall-holder, Hassan, when Diary visited this week. 

He said it would be hard for things to get worse after what he called “30 years of unemployment, injustice and no national pride”.

“The police will be better now that Mubarak has gone,” said fellow stall-holder Ashiery (pictured), who said he knows of many British Egyptians now planning trips home.

Others warned of disorder. 

“Now the military council is in control, it’s going to get worse,” said costermonger Walid.

Tube plans under wraps

AJIT Chambers – the former banker with a plan to reopen abandoned Tube stations to the public for tours – was circumspect when Diary asked him which of London’s many “ghost” stations was most likely to be used as his “proof of concept”.  

There are 26 subterranean sites that could potentially be opened to the public if Mr Chambers gets his way, though his Old London Underground Company has drawn up a secret shortlist of six that are in the running to be the “pioneer” in his scheme.

Underground enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that a big announcement is expected soon – but Mr Chambers wouldn’t give much away this week, saying only: “Business is like a little animal. 

“It has to feed and fill itself. If people do start guessing which site will be the first, they will realise that it has to be a place that has enough people – not necessarily tourists.”

However, read previous interviews with Mr Chambers and you get the impression that Down Street station off Piccadilly (it closed in the 1930s and is now used by London Fire Brigade for training) could well be foremost in his mind.

Asked if Down Street station was the favourite, he tantalisingly replied “spot on” – before appearing to backtrack, muttering something about how it was in “a very useful spot”.

Who brought the house down?

Why was Monday’s performance of The Children’s Hour cancelled? 

Those with tickets to see the production of Lillian Hellman’s play – which stars Keira Knightley and is playing at the Comedy Theatre – were told they would have to switch to seeing it on another night as “emergency” repairs to the theatre were taking place. 

As Monday was Valentine’s Day, that must have meant some disappointed couples.

A spokeswoman would not give further details, so Diary checked down at the playhouse for signs of an emergency (and found none). 

Staff in nearby cafés could shed no light on the precise nature of the emergency. 

The company doing PR for the play said they said they did not expect an extra date to be added. 

One suggested explanation, posted online, read: Someone hacked away one of those damn pillars in a mad fury at the price of their restricted view ticket, perhaps?