Disappearing London: Suggs and the City (2008)

Madness lead singer and presenter Graham ‘Suggs’ McPherson sets off on a journey through London, to celebrate the endangered buildings and open spaces which give this capital its special charm and unique character.

From the humble Italian coffee house or traditional London pub to the open air swimming pool or exotic Turkish bath, these hidden gems are every bit as important to the character and appeal of the city as its major landmarks. These are the places where ordinary Londoners lived, worked and played, where they fell in love or earned their first pay cheque. But all too often they are taken for granted, until it is too late to save them from the threat of re-development or the wrecking ball.

Suggs’ journey of discovery carries us back in time, to reveal the secrets of these special places. He discovers when and why they were built and investigates why they fell out of fashion. Along the way he uncovers some rare archive footage and meets some of the men and women for whom these places hold special memories. And he finds out how some owners are re-inventing their buildings to fend off the threat of extinction.

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