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 has been at the forefront of the regeneration. Sitting proudly by Royal Victoria Dock, ExCeL is bringing trade and industry to the docks, generating over £2.3 billion of economic impact for the British economy. 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; the result of a culmination of factors including containerisation, the increased popularity of air cargo and the move of manufacturing industries away from the river to cheaper locations
Work begins on London City Airport
10 millionth passenger uses London City Airport
London International Boat Show held at ExCeL London for the first time
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
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
London 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