London,
03
November
2009
|
23:00
Europe/London

Residents choose Hackney Empire for 2012 pin badge

Hackney residents have chosen the Hackney Empire to represent the borough in the build-up to the 2012 Games.

The Empire will be the image representing Hackney on a celebratory set of 33 ‘Landmark London’ pin badges. The winners of the vote were announced in the week leading up to the 1,000 days milestone on Saturday 31 October.

In the summer, Hackney Council teamed up with the London 2012 Organising Committee and London Councils to offer residents the opportunity to vote for their favourite local landmark to feature on the badges. The Hackney Empire will feature alongside other London landmarks including Tower Bridge, Alexandra Palace and the Natural History Museum.

The pin badges will go on sale next year.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said: "The Hackney Empire is a much loved icon which is at the heart of our borough’s cultural life, making it the ideal image to represent Hackney in the lead up to the 2012 Games. Its return to full programming later next year should place it centre stage in London’s Cultural Olympiad.”

Clarie Middleton, Interim Chief Executive of Hackney Empire, said: "I m delighted residents have chosen the Hackney Empire as a local landmark to represent the borough. Next year s period of reduced activity will give the board time to develop a new business model so the Empire can go on providing strong artistic, community and educational programmes for the people of Hackney and audiences across London."

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “This is one way over seven thousand Londoners are already involved in the 2012 Games. The landmarks chosen by the public for the pin set showcase what Londoners want the world to remember about their borough.”

The competition was organised by the London 2012 Organising Committee in partnership with London Councils and Hackney Council.