UK OOH icons power down for Earth Hour

The BFI IMAX, Piccadilly Lights and screens across Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City powered down to mark the Earth Hour on March 23, 8.30PM.

The outdoor locations joining other prominent UK landmarks included the London Eye, the Tate museums and Buckingham Palace in a symbolic gesture to support the WWF’s day of positive action.

Thousands of people in more than 190 countries and territories were expected to switch off their lights for 60 minutes in a moment of global unity for nature restoration, shining a light instead on the planet, the climate crisis and the need for urgent change.

Leading the way in central London, the Piccadilly Lights broadcast a five minute countdown to the switch off moment at 8.30pm before turning completely dark. The Lights, which rarely switch off and usually only during moments of national mourning or war, participated with the agreement of Landsec.

The largest and most unique advertising canvas in Europe, the BFI IMAX in Waterloo which is lit by 48,000 LEDs also switched off. And in a further a sign of solidarity, 19 outdoor screens across both of the Westfield retail and leisure destinations blacked out for the hour.