Seven Dials Covent Garden is a unique quarter of London whose star-shaped layout remains as constructed in the early 1690s. It was brought back to life largely through the dedication of the Seven Dials Trust, working in partnership with the local authorities and landowners for nearly forty years.

Gabriel Brocklebank was landlord of the well-known and loved Crown Pub on Seven Dials for more than a quarter of a century, along with his wife Madeleine. The Crown was for many years a focal point for both local businesses and residents. Gabby encouraged the involvement of Taylor Walker PLC who gave considerable support to the Trust via their PR company and who also assisted in fund-raising. Although Gabby has retired, he continues his involvement as trustee and Company Secretary as part of his long-term commitment to the area.

David’s involvement in Covent Garden began as a youth and community worker in 1971. He organised and led a two-week Objection at the 1971 Covent Garden Public Inquiry which helped prevent the area’s demolition and turn the tide of post WW2 planning from wholesale demolition of city centres. He was elected bi-annually onto the Covent Garden Forum of Representatives (1974-84) which drew up and saw through the new Covent Garden Plan. He co-authored Less Planning More Happening, the basis of the new Plan. He was a founder trustee of the Covent Garden Area Trust and, together with the late Grace Cook, negotiated its establishment with Government and the London Residuary Body following the abolition of the Greater London Council. He was a member of the Seven Dials Housing Action Area Committee (1977-84) which initiated the area’s regeneration and brought back into use the 90% of the residential stock which had lain empty for 40 years. The HAAC also encouraged private and affordable housing and helped re-build the area’s employment base on the removal of the Covent Garden Market. David has chaired the Seven Dials Trust since its inception in 1984. David also serves on the committees of the Soho Society, the Museum of Soho and the Meard & Dean Street Residents’ Association. David has a long-standing interest in conservation from his restoration of 1 Shorts Gardens (1694) in Seven Dials (empty for 40 years), and 68 Dean Street (1732, empty for 10 years). He was the pro bono adviser for the restoration of the 1791 shopfront at 88 Dean Street, joint winner of the Georgian Group national award in 2011, and advised on the restoration of 13 Meard Street. As a member of the UK Lancia Motor Club, he chaired Flavia in the Piazza in 2003 and Lancia in the Piazza – the Centenary in 2007 (winner of the award for the best car event of the year).

The Seven Dials Trust works in partnership with local authorities, landowners, national agencies and local amenity groups to protect the historic fabric of Seven Dials and to promote and bring about exemplary environmental improvements in the area.

Over nearly 40 years our work has helped first to save and then to develop and enhance Seven Dials, reinventing a lost neighbourhood around the Sundial Pillar, which the Trust re-constructed, owns and maintains. The Trust has driven complex, long-term projects to completion through changing political priorities and ownerships. We have initiated and raised funds for projects designed to celebrate and enhance the distinct identity of Seven Dials. Our work has encouraged substantial investment in the public realm from the private sector.

The Trust’s vision is set out in the Seven Dials Renaissance Study, which is currently being updated and extended for publication as a web edition.

The Seven Dials Trust is a registered charity, managed by a board of trustees, many of whom have a long association with the area. 

We are grateful to all our funders and supporters – the many generous individuals, local and national agencies, organisations and companies who have contributed to our work over the years. In addition to sponsorship and grant-aid this support includes thousands of hours of unpaid work, pro bono expert advice and in-kind contributions.

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A Bit of History (of the Trust)

Our story began in 1977 when Seven Dials was in a state of dereliction, with 90% of the housing stock having lain vacant for more than 40 years in anticipation of wholesale demolition and redevelopment. To kick start the process of regeneration and encourage private investment, Camden Council established The Seven Dials Housing Action Area (1977-1984) - six residents and six businesses supported by a group of Camden officers. Grants were made available to freeholders and the local authority could, in extremis, undertake works. Our HAA had great success, with over 200 residential units rehabilitated, initial public realm improvements implemented and further public and private housing secured. 

On the expiration of the HAA we were invited by Camden's CEO to set up a group to continue further improvements in the area and to reinstate the lost Seven Dials Sundial Pillar. This group became a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, known first as The Seven Dials Monument Charity (1984) and then The Seven Dials Trust (2003).

2015: A meeting of The Seven Dials Trustees; venue courtesy of The Mercer Street Hotel (Radisson Blu Edwardian).