Along much of the Thames offices, hotels and private housing developments have cut off existing communities from the river. Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) wanted to open up the river for everyone to enjoy.
Between 1984 and 1988 CSCB organised the demolition of derelict buildings, the completion of the South Bank riverwalk (between the National Theatre and Sea Containers House) and the laying out of a new riverside park, Bernie Spain Gardens. This opened up spectacular views of the Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral and the city.
In recent years, the riverwalk has benefited from a new surface and, in 2005, a new lighting scheme - hundreds of state-of-the-art LCD blue and white lights have been added to the trees. Illuminated at night, the new lights enhance the beauty of this stretch of the riverwalk.
This stretch of the riverwalk attracts visitors from all over the world and is also a valuable resource enjoyed by all who live or work in the area. It is also used as a venue during the annual Coin Street Festival and The Mayor’s Thames Festival.