The local government history in London is very interesting and quite complicated, with many different aspects. The GLC was abolished in 1986, some people say that was because Ken Livingstone (the last Leader of the Greater London Council) has very high-spending policies implemented in the city, some says that was because Livingstone and GLC were very critical to the Conservative government led my Margaret Thatcher, with critical posters on the County Hall included. Still, the building has an interesting history. It was constructed between 1911 and 1922 (when the building was opened by King George V) or and 1939 (when the North and South blocks were added). It was constructed to replace an old LCC building inherited from the Metropolitan Board of Works (the principal instrument of London-wide government from December 1855 until the establishment of the London County Council in March 1889). There were plans to relocate the London School of Economics to the site after the abolition of the LCC, but ultimately it was used by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) and later sold to Shirayama Shokusan, a Japanese investor. Today it is the site of businesses and attractions, including the Sea Life London Aquarium, Shrek's Adventure London and the Namco Funscape amusement arcade. Oh, and the two hotels. (previous | next | back to album | 2020:02:10 15:42:10 | 78% of an album)