This far more efficient method of moving goods required much larger ships that could not navigate down as far as the Royal Docks. Gradually the Royal Docks business fell into decline. Despite the difficulties, they survived longer than any other upstream docks finally closing to commercial traffic in 1981.
ExCeL London opened in November 2000, in an area of huge regeneration in London’s historic Royal Docks. Today, ExCeL London has been at the forefront of the regeneration. Every year the venue hosts over 400 events, welcoming 40,000 exhibiting companies and over 4 million people, from across the globe. Events hosted at ExCeL are responsible for delivering £4.5bn in economic impact to London, supporting 37,600 jobs and driving 25% of London’s inbound business tourists.
See the story of how Royal Victoria Dock has emerged to become a hive of industry and activity once again.
The Royal Victoria Dock site, on which ExCeL London will later sit, is opened by Prince Albert as a working dock
King George V Dock opens — the Royal Docks are now the largest enclosed docks in the world
End of World War II — re-building begins across the docks
The docks close due to a culmination of factors; containerisation, increasing air cargo and manufacturing industries moving from the river to cheaper locations
Work begins on London City Airport
The Association of Exhibition Organisers (aeo) approaches architect Ray Moxley to locate and design a new exhibition and conference centre within the M25; the Royal Victoria Dock site is found in 1990
ExCeL London opens in November, as one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects
10 millionth passenger uses London City Airport
London International Boat Show held at ExCeL London for the first time
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London wins the bid to host the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games
London’s first International Convention Centre, ICC London, is launched and endorsed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and London’s Convention Bureau
In May, ICC London opens — on time and on budget
In November, ExCeL opens a new 252 bedroom Starwood Aloft hotel
Westfield Stratford City opens — the largest urban shopping centre in Europe
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ExCeL London is the most complex venue in the history of the modern Olympic Games playing host to 7 Olympic and 6 Paralympic events in the London 2012 Olympic Games
Emirates Air Line Cable Car opens linking ExCeL and The O2
The Connaught Tunnel is enlarged and strengthened to carry Crossrail between Canning Town and Woolwich
ExCeL welcomes its 20 millionth visitor
ExCeL London plays host to Europe’s largest medical association meeting for the European Society of Cardiology
Launch of CentrEd at ExCeL, a brand new training and meeting facility with spaces for 20 to 400 delegates
Events hosted at ExCeL are responsible for delivering £4.5bn in economic impact, supporting 37,600 jobs.
World Travel Market had their largest show ever. Open over 3 days, welcoming 93,000 visitors, 7,500 exhibitors and 120 tourism ministers from around the world.
Launched our No Plastic Campaign. Refill your bottle of one of our water refill stations.
ExCeL London becomes NHS Nightingale, a temporary hospital in the national fight against coronavirus
