3-077-554 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

Burlington Arcade, Burlington Gardens, Westminster, London, 1960. View of shops looking south from Burlington Gardens. Erected in 1818-19 from designs by Samuel Ware, the 179-metre long, covered, luxury shopping arcade was built on the former gardens of Burlington House, the home of George Cavendish, the 1st Earl of Burlington. The glazed roof-light panels are supported by arches, which divide the 72 original two-storey units into bays of two shops with projecting display windows. A line of lanterns can be seen suspended from the roof together with hanging Christmas decorations. To the left of the image is 43 Burlington Arcade, trading as "Arnold-Winston Ltd", a retailer in fine jewels and objet d'art, specialising in luxury watches. A large number of shoppers can be seen. The arcade is patrolled by beadles in traditional uniform and they are the oldest and smallest private police force in the world. In 1964, they were unable to prevent a gang of thieves driving down the arcade in a Jaguar car and smashing the windows of the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Association premises at 44-45 Burlington Arcade, stealing thousands of pounds worth of jewellery. The thieves were never caught. The double-fronted shop can be seen in the centre of the image. The arcade is Grade II listed.