Dock Tales: Eric Reynolds
Interview by Momtaz Begum-Hossain for The Royal Docks
As the Founding Director of Urban Space Management, Eric Reynolds has over-seen the regeneration of some of the most impressive projects in London, from the creation of Camden Lock Market to the development of Trinity Buoy Wharf. He’s a Trustee of The Royal Museum Greenwich and Chairman of The SS Robin Trust. The steamship is an iconic feature of the Royal Docks landscape. Here’s Eric with his Dock Tale…
As the Chairman of SS Robin Trust, I also have an unusual connection with the docks, but while that’s a relatively new addition arriving in 2011, I’ve been involved in the area since 1978, but more on that later.
The SS Robin is the equivalent of a Grade I listed building so needs protecting.
The SS Robin is the only complete Victorian steamship in existence and it’s the only one left that’s fitted with the original steam engine and boiler. It’s had an interesting life, built in 1890 just around the corner in Blackwall. It was in service for 80 years and travelled around Europe. It settled recently at Canary Wharf for a period but because of Crossrail it had to find a new home. The ship was in front of the Museum of London, Docklands for a while but due to another construction project had to relocate yet again. There were talks of turning it into a pub, but SS Robin is the equivalent of a Grade I listed building on the same scale as The Tower of London so it needs respectful conservation protection with an active access and educational programme. I was brought in as the Chairman because of my experience and track record in heritage and regeneration. The most recent example being the saving of the West Smithfield Market site which is to soon become the new home of Museum of London.
