UK’s King Charles III visits Christmas markets at M’sian-owned Battersea Power Station

KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom’s King Charles III visited the Malaysian-owned Battersea Power Station to experience the riverside neighbourhood’s festive offerings and meet with small business owners recently.

His Majesty was there to take part in the Power Station’s series of Christmas markets this year, as well as meet members of the local community.

The Power Station, in a statement Thursday (Dec 12), said his visit was welcomed by the Battersea Power Station Community Choir, which consists of more than 100 local residents from across the Borough of Wandsworth, singing festive carols and songs.

“During his visit, King Charles visited the Curated Makers Christmas Market in Turbine Hall A, inside the Power Station and met with its founder, Megan Jones who started Curated Makers after taking part in the King’s Trust’s Enterprise programme, a free course which helps young people fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams of starting their own business.

“The brand supports more than 40 local, independent businesses selling homeware, candles,clothing, artwork and much more.

“He met with members of the local community including schoolchildren, members of Battersea-based youth groups from Carney’s Community, Elays Network, Devas Youth Club, apprentices who have been recruited through

the Battersea Academy for Skills and Employment (BASE) and a Battersea Power Station Alumna, Rita Kelly, who used to work at the Power Station in the 1950s and officially opened the building to the public in October 2022,” the statement read.

It said His Majesty unveiled a plaque to commemorate the visit as well.

Battersea Project Holding Company chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, in his speech, said they were honoured to welcome King Charles III to Battersea Power Station to witness the transformational restoration of the Grade II listed building.

“I am glad that you could meet with members of the local community, small business owners and workers for whom the neighbourhood has become their town centre.

“Creating a sense of community at Battersea Power Station has always been a key focus for the shareholders.

“It is special to see so many members of the local community gather here to celebrate this historic moment for Battersea Power Station at such a festive time of year,” he said in his speech.

The Power Station, under the custodianship of its Malaysian shareholders, Sime Darby Property, SP Setia and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), has been expertly restored to its former glory for the public to enjoy.

In 2019, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and EPF became the long-term owners of the Power Station securing the future of the landmark for many generations.

The wider area has been transformed into a vibrant place with new homes, offices, large areas of public realm such as the six-acre Power Station Park and over 150 shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues including the unique glass elevator experience.

Since the London landmark and Electric Boulevard, a pedestrianised high street, opened to the public in October 2022, more than 24 million people have visited the Power Station.

This year for Christmas, it has been transformed into London’s most magical destination for the festive season with sparkling lights, a 12.2m Christmas tree in Malaysia Square, beautiful new decorations inside the historic turbine halls inspired by the building’s Art Deco design.

It was reported earlier in February this year (2024) that the iconic former coal-fired power station in central London, which opened in October 2022, has been named one of the 20 “Best Cultural Spots” around the globe in the National Geographic’s Best of the World 2024 series.

The only United Kingdom destination to feature on the culture list, the UK£9bil power station has been restored and transformed into a mixed-use destination by a consortium of Malaysian companies.