{"id":1806,"date":"2014-01-02T09:31:56","date_gmt":"2014-01-02T09:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk\/?page_id=1806"},"modified":"2022-06-24T08:19:36","modified_gmt":"2022-06-24T08:19:36","slug":"london-and-lotus-the-epicentre-of-post-war-british-motor-racing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/colinchapmanmuseum.co.uk\/?page_id=1806","title":{"rendered":"London and Lotus: The Epicentre of Post War British Motor Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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London and Lotus: The Epicentre of Post War British Motor Racing [and the economic case for locating the proposed CCM&EC here]<\/b><\/p>\n

INTRODUCTION<\/b><\/p>\n

This article is written to highlight two interrelating subjects simultaneously. They relate to the mutuality that exists between Lotus and London as the epicenter of post war British motorsport.<\/p>\n

This article is written also to articulate the case for a museum devoted to Colin Chapman preferably based on the old Lotus works site in Hornsey.Based upon the fact that it was here that Chapman really helped establish and eventually near dominate international motor racing and that London has along and proud reputation in engineering that contributed to his success.<\/p>\n

In this discussion we set out many of the cultural and related institutions of London that make it an international tourist magnet<\/p>\n

The proposed CCM&EC is a natural ally contributing significantly to the experience economy and easily integrated and complementary to the cultural\/ entertainment package that London has to offer.<\/p>\n

LONDON\u00a0<\/b>\u2013HISTORICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY<\/b><\/p>\n

Here it\u2019s not felt necessary to provide a detailed evolution of the city but a broad appreciation helps understand context and particularly London\u2019s connection with motorsport .London particularly in the 20th\u00a0\/21st\u00a0century is and has\u00a0 been:-<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Capital of the nation and on occasions the empire ,colonies and Commonwealth<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 The seat of Royalty, tradition , heraldry and ceremony<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 The seat of law, government and administration<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Centre for trade, banking, finance, investment, insurance etc.<\/p>\n

These activities attract in turn a population who tend to generate a sub supporting culture that includes:-<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Education particularly universities<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Professional bodies and institutions<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Social clubs<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Arts, culture, theatre, galleries museums, ballet, opera cinema etc.<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Caf\u00e9, bars, restaurants hotels<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Centre of publishing, communications, TV and the press.<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Design, Retail, fashion and shopping<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Markets<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 Transport for goods and services , raw materials and workers which interconnect and permit the conduct of multiple transactions between the parties<\/p>\n

v\u00a0 All the functions mentioned above whatever their source have produced unique architecture and a distinctive townscape which has evolved to adapt to changing needs, circumstances and events.<\/p>\n

In the process cities tend to become self-generating economic dynamos that and exercising a magnet pull and multiplier effect because of the interaction between choices, opportunities, culture and employment. These factors obviously produce a working population with various levels of disposable income<\/p>\n

Thus London became the intoxicating cosmopolitan cocktail of culture and enterprise. This cannot happen without some conflict as often the interests and needs can be in competition. Equally technology and manufacturing does not stand still and a cities magnet can wane and points can be reached where congestion, investment lag and other negative economic forces can begin to provoke reverse reactions. This is perhaps certainly true of London and the fact must be recognized. This allows constructive and positive sustainable policies to be pursued to rebalance. These[j1]<\/a>\u00a0 should play to strengths like the creative industries and design.<\/p>\n

All the factors we have recorded also create the magnet of tourism.Tourism is a complex subject and mixture of factors that we ought to endeavor to understand. Increasingly it has a massive economic role too. It comprises elements of:-<\/p>\n

Human psychology and curiosity and a sense of adventure or pilgrimage<\/p>\n

Individuals have choice of destination and sense of satisfaction and value for money<\/p>\n

Cities like London enjoy the privilege of concentrated resources at the tourist\u2019s disposal. Meaning that an entire family\u2019s needs might be meet under one umbrella<\/p>\n

London being a 24 hour city means that a tourist can be stimulated and provided for and this contributes to satisfaction and value for money<\/p>\n

The established cultural institutions and museums have some unique exhibits<\/p>\n

Since our weather cannot be guaranteed the museums, galleries and shopping provide daytime indoor activity as required and the theatres, nightlife, restaurants etc.\u00a0 ensure full coverage<\/p>\n

Tourism cannot function without accommodation transport, translation and a feeling of being welcome and an ease of getting to and from destinations .proximity also helps.<\/p>\n

As the world becomes smaller, the internet changes and brings facilities to people rather than they travel, then tourism has to adapt and other factors can influence decisions. These can include feelings of safety, disability access, transport connections ,quality and costs of accommodation \/transport and a host of subtle considerations not present in the past<\/p>\n

People become more educated and have greater income whilst expectations tend to increase. As tourism is just as much a market there is also increased competition to attract and retain visitors<\/p>\n

The evidence is that there is increased demand for the experience economy. This is simply a higher level mixture of learning , entertainment with participation , direct experience , empathy or acquaintance \/ persuasion, stimulation ,enquirey,deduction ,exploration and greater intellectual satisfaction .It particularly applies to those for whom a holiday is justified in its learning skill acquisition\u00a0 and how this might be represent personal self-investment<\/p>\n

LONDON<\/b>: TRANSPORT DYNAMICS AND THE MULTIPLYER EFFECT<\/b><\/p>\n

The 20c \/21st\u00a0witnessed the exceptional growth in motor transport. There were particular concentrations in cities like London with huge populations and cargo traffic to move. Transport obviously required a skilled engineering base. The mechanical transport that London possessed during the 20c \/21st included:-<\/p>\n