BT lips are sealed on opening tower

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

It is indeed thinking about it, as Estates Gazette reported last Saturday. But the telephone-to-broadband TV giant does not yet wish to communicate. Why not, heaven knows; for this sounds like a very good way of revitalising what has been a disgraceful waste of useful public space since June 1980.

The most unlikely duo imaginable opened what was called the Post Office Tower to the public in May 1966: Tony Benn and Billy Butlin. Benn was then a thrusting young Labour minister; Butlin was the roguish founder of the holiday camp empire. For some bizarre reason he was granted a lease to run the revolving restaurant on the 34th floor, perhaps because Benn felt Butlins would be good at herding the 4.5 million visitors who took the trip to the viewing galleries in cramped lifts between 1996 and 1980.

An IRA bomb exploded in the 31st-floor toilets in October 1971. That failed to close the doors. But, nine years later, BT's nationalised predecessor, citing mysterious "security reasons" closed the tower to the public.

Quite why it has taken a further 27 years to even think about opening up one of the most spectacular views in London is even more mysterious. "Security reasons" will no doubt be cited when BT comes clean.

Meanwhile, a mole suggests that BT is looking to build bedrooms around the base and open up that revolving restaurant again. Only two questions remain: will the top of the tower still actually revolve - and will Butlins want to run the restaurant?