BT Tower Revolving Restaurant

One of London’s most famous landmarks, the BT Tower Revolving Restaurant, is set to be reopened to the public in time for the 2012 London Olympics. London doesn’t currently have a rotating eaterie such as 360 at the CN Tower in Toronto, or Top of the World at the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, so this will surely be a welcome addition to London’s restaurant scene.

The history of the original restaurant in this location dates back to 1965, when it was opened by Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. At the time, it was known as the Post Office Tower, as the tower had been commissioned by the General Post Office. In 1966, the revolving restaurant was opened by Tony Benn and Billy Butlin, of Butlins Holidays fame. The restaurant offered fantastic views across London and would make one whole revolution every 22 minutes.

Unfortunately, the rotating restaurant did not have a long life-span as it was wracked with major security concerns. In 1971 an IRA bomb exploded in the mens toilets in the tower and in 1980 the restaurant officially closed to the public at the end of it’s Butlins lease. Although it has been used at times for corporate events with extremely tight security, the tower has remained closed to the public ever since. However, this all looks set to change in December 2011, when the restaurant will re-open to the public.

The new restaurant is thought to be capable of seating between 60 and 70 diners and BT are rumoured to be looking at top chefs such as Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver or Gary Rhodes to be taking over the kitchen at this iconic establishment, housed on the 34th floor of the tower.

One thing’s for sure though - whenever this restaurant does open it’s doors again, it’s going to be extremely difficult to get a table for the first few months!