A year since London went into its first lockdown, I decided to visit the City during rush hour to see what has become of the capital’s historic financial district.
Before the lockdown, the City was one of the busiest spots in London on weekdays. In the early mornings and late afternoons, you would find city workers, with their fancy suits and shiny shoes, flocking the numerous entrances of Bank, London Bridge and Liverpool Street stations.
Today, closed doors, deserted streets and tourist-less landmarks have become the norm. Cyclists, buses and skateboarders have replaced black cabs, corporate cars and city workers in suits. What was once known as the vibrant Square Mile has become more like a ghost town of high-rise buildings and shiny surfaces.
In these pictures, I tried to capture the spirit and show what the City looks like during lockdown on a working day.
One thing for sure, if New York is labelled as the city that never sleeps, London should be labelled as the city that never gives up. Determination, positivity and refusal to give in to the current depressing situation is what I gathered from this short afternoon in the City – a place I have strong connections with, having spent all my professional career between its offices.
The Square Mile from a distanceA cyclist and a couple of buses on London Bridge – instead of the pre-lockdown heavy traffic A cyclist in the empty streets near Bank stationThe empty entrance of Bank station that is usually packed with commuters at this time of the dayPeople enjoying the sun in front of the Royal ExchangeTwo women enjoying the sun in front of the Royal ExchangeCyclists in front of the Royal ExchangeThe Square Mile during rush hour – empty streets that are usually buzzing with city workers at this time of the day Few commuters outside Bank station – this place is usually packed with commuters and trafficThe empty court and closed doors of Leadenhall MarketMillennium Bridge – almost empty except for few runners, cyclists and pedestrians People wearing masks on Millennium BridgeA skateboarder by St Pauls Cathedral – the streets of the City have been taken over by Skateboarders who are enjoying the deserted streetsA ferry station in South Bank with its closed ticket officeFriends enjoying a drink on the riverside – with everything else closed, riversides and parks became people’s gathering spotsA cheerful street busker waving at me – his smile and music filled the almost deserted South Bank with vibes of positivity and hopePlaying tennis against the Tate Modern wall, when tennis courts were closed – what a determination!South Bank without the tourists. Usually, this area is filled with tourists and Londoners enjoying a drink or dinner after workRunners on the Queens Walk heading towards Tower BridgeSunset over the City. Another lifeless day had passed – how many more days or months before life comes back to the Square Mile
All pictures taken by the author on 22 March 2021.
DZ Gallivanter 
time for new photos?
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Yes absolutely!!
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