Press Release

Mayor approves New Year's Eve fireworks display to promote London around the world
27-11-2008   629

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has ordered a spectacular fireworks display to kick off the New Year in the capital with a bang. Live television coverage around the globe will ensure the iconic skyline of the West End is seen from Beijing to Brazil, New York and New Delhi as Big Ben strikes midnight.

Renowned pyrotechnician, Christophe Berthonneau, will light up the sky to remind the world of the unrivalled attractions of London as a place to live, visit and invest. The display from The London Eye, will be broadcast live on BBC One and is planned as the centrepiece of a vast array of activities to round off Christmas celebrations in the capital and ensure 2009 is greeted on an upbeat and optimistic note.

The Mayor is expected to reinforce the message that London remains a top destination for tourists and is better value than ever for overseas visitors, in a keynote speech at Thursday's Visit London Awards. The awards celebrate the best of London and the accommodation providers, tours, restaurants, events and attractions that make this unique city such an outstanding place to visit. The Mayor wants to ensure that people continue to come to the capital from across the UK and overseas, to help the city's economy through the downturn.

The Mayor said: 'London has some of the best bars, restaurants and hotels in the world. I can think of no better city to spend New Year's Eve and these fireworks will remind Britain and the world of the joys and charms of this city all year round. I'm particularly keen to remind the global business elite that London offers them unique opportunities and an inimitable lifestyle. Even these tough economic times cannot detract from the wealth of architecture, culture, gastronomy and people which make London the best city in the world to work, rest and play.'

Countless celebrations are planned across the capital, but many venues will require pre-booked tickets, whilst space is severely limited along the Thames to watch the fireworks live. Television offers the best solution for those worried about not getting into the viewing areas. For those able to able to get into the viewing areas, there will be specially mixed soundtrack from BBC Radio 1 as they wait for the fireworks at midnight.

LG Electronics are sponsoring this year's fireworks display and will be using their technology expertise to significantly enhance the experience on the night and ensure that London's New Year celebrations become a global talking point.

Andrew Warner, marketing director, LG Electronics UK and Ireland, said 'This sponsorship coincides with the first ever LG global brand campaign which highlights why we believe that Life's Good.  New Year's Eve is a moment of optimism - when people forget the troubles of last year and celebrate the next. London is a truly global, cosmopolitan city, providing the perfect location for this exciting spectacle.'

Wherever people are bringing in the New Year across the capital, they should plan their journeys carefully and take advantage of all night and free travel on public transport. Some roads in the centre will be closed to cars, so public transport is - without doubt - the best way to go.

There will be all night travel on Tube, DLR, Tramlink and selected National Rail services in the Greater London area on New Year's Eve. 24-hour bus routes will run as normal, but there will be a reduction in bus services leaving central London from around 7pm to 3am, because of road closures.

There will be free travel on all journeys from 11.45pm to 4.30am on Tube, DLR, Tramlink and buses, as well as some National Rail services on selected routes out of London after midnight.

More information can be found at www.london.gov.uk. Information about events and attractions throughout Christmas and into New Year can be found at www.visitlondon.com. Information to help you plan your journey over the same period will be available at www.tfl.gov.uk.

This year's fireworks display, organised by the Mayor's Office at The London Eye, features personal video messages by famous faces from around the world, thanks to sponsors LG Electronics. For more information and opportunities to view and download the celebrity video messages visit the website: www.prnewswire.com/mnr/lg/36520.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR NEW YEAR'S EVE - THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

If you are planning to celebrate New Year's Eve in London, remember that it's one of the busiest nights of the year, with large crowds in the centre of town, and bars, restaurants and clubs likely to be ticketed and require advance booking.

If you want to see the midnight fireworks display at The London Eye, be aware that not everyone will be able to get into the designated areas. The success of the display means getting there early is no guarantee of entry and may involve a wait of several hours before the midnight countdown. The viewing areas fill up quickly and early and will close as soon as they are full.

Don't get caught out at midnight. If you suddenly decide to leave the place you are in at 11:30pm, the viewing areas will already be full – and you might not be able to get back in time for midnight. Only a proportion of those wanting to can get into the viewing areas, so if you are concerned not to miss the fireworks and are near a television, don't forget the display can be seen live on BBC One.

Be mindful of how busy it will be on the transport network, especially at peak times, including the hour before midnight and following the fireworks display. Road closures mean public transport will still be the best way to get about, but be prepared to take different, possibly longer, routes home and anticipate long waits as crowds surge at peak times.

Here are some tips to help you plan your night:

• Lots to do over Christmas and New Year. London is a great place to go out at any time of the year. The New Year's Eve fireworks display at The London Eye is only one of hundreds of events and attractions taking place in London throughout the Christmas and New Year period, from the Christmas Tree and carol singing in Trafalgar Square, to ice skating at iconic locations across the capital, to the New Year's Day Parade on 1 January.
• One of the busiest nights of the year. If you are in town on New Year's Eve itself, remember – it gets very crowded. London will have one of its busiest nights of the year, as revellers head to bars, restaurants and clubs to bring in 2009 and many places will be ticketed or need to be booked in advance.
• Fireworks means big crowds, so be prepared. Only a proportion of those in central London will be able to watch the fireworks in the viewing areas, which will close as soon as they are full. Don't suddenly decide to leave the bar or party at 11:30pm – you won't be able to get in – and you won't be able to see the fireworks. Even if you head down early there is no guarantee you will be able to get in.
• Plan your journey. Before you set out for the night, think about your route out and back, and let people know where you are going.
• Big crowds means allow more time. Large crowds in central London will have an impact on moving around the area, so allow extra time when heading out and bear in mind you may have to walk further or even out of your way to get to where you need to be.
• Keeping in touch. Ensure you will be able to contact friends and family, should you become separated from the group.
  Wrap up warm. Don't get caught out by the cold weather.
• First aid. While we hope you won’t require first aid assistance, St John Ambulance, which has significant experience of dealing with the capital's largest events, will have 13 treatment centres along the Thames and in central locations. St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District also say that if you need it, don't forget to bring along medication,
• Use public transport, but look out for changes. The best way to get about on New Year's Eve is on public transport, with services operating throughout the night and free travel on buses, tube and the DLR. Look out for station closures or alterations to access points, which are designed to make entry and exit smoother and safer.
• Road and bridges. If you drive into town during the day, be aware that many roads and bridges will close to traffic from 6pm.
• Walking. It may be quicker and easier to walk, particularly after events finish, so consider wearing sensible shoes.
• Riverside access. The Golden Jubilee footbridges will be closed and if you want to access the riverside areas in front of   the Southbank Centre, you'll need to have booked a table at one of the restaurants.
• Heading home. Be prepared for large crowds, different routes home and a long wait at tube, bus and rail services, especially at peak periods, such as the last hour before midnight and after the fireworks display, and follow the instructions given by the stewards.
• There's always the television! And don't forget - if you are near a television at midnight, it's all being screened by BBC One, so no need to miss out.

Event information will be available at www.london.gov.uk/newyearseve, travel information at www.tfl.gov.uk.
For information about the range of events and attractions throughout Christmas and New Year go to www.visitlondon.com.

This year's fireworks and lighting display features personal video messages by famous faces from around the world, thanks to sponsors LG Electronics. For more information and opportunities to view and download the celebrity video messages visit the website: www.prnewswire.com/mnr/lg/36520.

Notes to Editors

1. The display is one of the hundreds of activities taking place in the capital on New Year's Eve, with Londoners and visitors enjoying late night bars, restaurants and clubs, as well as private parties, right across the capital. Information about activities throughout December and January, including the Christmas and New Year period can be found at www.visitlondon.com.
2. Information to help you plan your journey will be available on the Transport for London website at www.tfl.gov.uk.
3. On New Year's Eve, the team at The London Eye offers the wheel and their services free of charge to the GLA to assist in giving London a spectacular New Year's Eve experience. At 135 metres high, the London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel offering unrivalled panoramic views of the capital. Since opening in March 2000, the London Eye is owned by the Merlin Entertainments Group and has become a 21st century symbol for Britain and a global icon. The London Eye has welcomed over 32 million visitors from across the globe. Press enquiries: Sahrette Saayman 0870 220 2777, or 07968 998 937. www.londoneye.com.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Press information is available from Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071 (press only) or email communitydesk@london.gov.uk.

PUBLIC/NON-MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Call the Public Liaison Unit at the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100

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