Oriental City

During the rapid growth of the Japanese economy in the 1980s, many Japanese businesses established in the United Kingdom. Honda formed a partnership with British Leyland in 1979 and Nissan opened its first European factory in Sunderland in 1986. Such activities caused a significant increase in Japanese living in the UK.

Yaohan, the Japanese department store, opened in London in 1993.{{cite news |title=Yaohan to open shopping complex in London |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/08/16/Yaohan-to-open-shopping-complex-in-London/4094745473600/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=UPI |date=16 Aug 1993 |language=en}} At the time, an estimated over 40,000 Japanese lived in the vicinity, and there was growing local interest in Japanese cuisine and culture. It would serve that large Japanese community and introduce Europeans to Japanese food and culture. Yaohan had already established operations in Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States.{{cite news |last1=Ipsen |first1=Erik |title=Shopping Japanese - in London |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/27/style/IHT-shopping-japanese-in-london.html |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=27 August 1993}}

Yaohan invested £50 million (£87 million in 2021) in its Colindale store with {{convert|10,134|m2|sqft}} of retail space, office areas and parking for 800 cars. The building incorporated Japanese architectural elements such as a tile roof. Internally, shops presented traditional Japanese facades similar to the Edo-Koji shopping area at Tokyo International Airport. Yaohan Plaza, London opened as a high-end Japanese shopping centre on 28 August 1993 with the slogan: "All Japan under one roof."{{cite news |last1=Braimoh |first1=Dilly |title=Yaohan Plaza |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aOKUYEQ1qU |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=Dilly Down Town |publisher=YouTube |date=1993 |language=en}} Chindon'ya musicians performed at the opening.{{cite web |title=Profile of "Chin-don Ya" |url=https://tozaiya.co.jp/sp/wp-content/themes/tozaiya/images/pdf/profile_of_chindonya.pdf |website=Chin-don Tsushinsha (Tozai-Ya co.ltd) |access-date=15 June 2022 |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528195909/https://tozaiya.co.jp/sp/wp-content/themes/tozaiya/images/pdf/profile_of_chindonya.pdf |url-status=live }}

Yaohan Plaza featured a grand entrance hall with wooden frame supporting a ceremonial banner and knot, below a traditional tile roof. The single storey north wing housed a Japanese supermarket and food court. Other shops and restaurants were in two storeys to the south and there was a multi-storey car park. Yaohan had 15 directly-owned retail operations, 47 third-party stores and 11 restaurants.{{cn|date=February 2025}} The supermarket sold Japanese foods including dry goods, sushi and bento boxes, fresh fish, and Japanese-style meats to suit yakiniku and shabu shabu. Fresh fruit was flown in from Japan, and a Japanese-style bakery operated on site. The supermarket offered over 70 varieties of sake and 40 of miso. Prices were considered high relative to Japan due to import costs,{{cite news |last1=Roffey |first1=Monique |title=I found out just in time that a Baiga was a snail kebab. For the squeamish, asking what things are is a must |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/i-found-out-just-in-time-that-a-baiga-was-a-snail-kebab-for-the-squeamish-asking-what-things-are-is-a-must-1602463.html |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=The Independent |date=22 September 1995 |language=en |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615022729/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/i-found-out-just-in-time-that-a-baiga-was-a-snail-kebab-for-the-squeamish-asking-what-things-are-is-a-must-1602463.html |url-status=live }} but 10-20 per cent lower than smaller Japanese shops in central London. The New York Times reported in 1993 that a 1.5 litre bottle of cold Japanese tea cost £4.99 (£8.69 in 2021). Yaohan's sushi kitchen operated 24 hours a day and supplied Waitrose, Selfridges, and Harvey Nichols.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

There was a full-service sushi bar, izakaya, okonomiyaki restaurant and ramen bar, a café, as well as a food court offering bento boxes, kushiyaki, donburi such as unatamadon noodles, and other Japanese foods. A wagashi-ya operated and Minamoto Kitchoan used Yaohan Plaza to establish a London presence.{{cite web |title=Minamoto Kitchoan Co., Ltd filing history |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/FC019221/filing-history?page=3 |website=Companies House |access-date=15 June 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615022837/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/FC019221/filing-history?page=3 |url-status=live }} Expatriates from Mino operated 'Utsuwa no Yakata', which sold Japanese porcelain and tablewares.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.dokiltd.co.uk/history |website=Doki Japanese Tableware |access-date=15 June 2022}} The main hall hosted fairs for products such as imported antiques as well as car promotions and cultural displays such as kimono.

The SegaDome arcade was a miniature SegaWorld and a large graphic of Sega's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog adorned the outside of the building.

Other Japanese shops included a bookshop, Asahiya Shoten, with a large selection of manga, a video store, an imported toy shop that also sold computer and video games, a Sanrio boutique and electronics retailer. Services included a hairdresser specialising in Asian hair, travel agency, estate agent, cram school and dental practice. British and European luxury goods were offered to Japanese tourists by Liberty of London.{{cite news |last1=Goldwater |first1=Mike |title=japanese uk shopping centre yaohan plaza cost 80 million staff start the day with slogans 1995 Stock Photo - Alamy |url=https://www.alamy.com/japanese-uk-shopping-centre-yaohan-plaza-cost-80-million-staff-start-image3592269.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=E3268AC7-0A41-4BBB-A73B-44D0A38E3017&p=21417&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dyaohan%2520plaza%26qt_raw%3dyaohan%2520plaza%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d |access-date=15 June 2022 |publisher=Alamy Stock Photo |date=1995 |language=en}} Yaohan Plaza claimed that 70% of customers were Japanese. It arranged with a local taxi service to provide Japanese-language service and female drivers.

Yaohan Plaza employed 190 staff, and each was expected to participate in morning rituals typical of a Japanese company, including singing the company song.

The opening of Yaohan Plaza attracted media attention. Monique Roffey in The Independent described it as a "hypermarket cum shopping mall cum cultural space-capsule".

By 1995, Yaohan encountered problems. A report suggested younger Japanese, a growing demographic in Britain's Japanese community, were less interested in the Japanese shopping experience. They had reduced spending power during a time of recession and were unwilling to pay a premium for imported goods. Customers complained about food going on sale past its sell-by date. Yaohan renamed their shopping centre Oriental City and sought to attract Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and Malaysian communities. Several Japanese outlets were replaced and British Chinese became the largest group of customers.{{cite news |last1=Large |first1=Tim |title=Japan In Britain: Sushi and saki set give way to a new generation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/japan-in-britain-sushi-and-saki-set-give-way-to-a-new-generation-1236148.html |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=The Independent |date=15 October 1997 |language=en}}

Yaohan's expansion across Asia left it vulnerable to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, and the business filed for bankruptcy that year. The London shopping centre was sold in October 1997 to Malaysian owners.

File:Oriental City Food Court.jpg

The oriental supermarket and food court remained, but the food court stalls now offered Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean foods, as well as Japanese foods.

Some of the more expensive to maintain Japanese architectural elements had been removed or neglected; the grand entrance decor was reduced to a pair of Chinese guardian lions. The Japanese garden was no longer maintained and fell into disrepair. Elements of the exterior natural wood tone were painted yellow. However, most stalls in the food court maintained a distinctly Japanese facade despite serving other cuisines.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The upper floor contained two dim sum restaurants, a Sichuan restaurant, and an 'all you can eat' restaurant. Outside, there were stalls for durian and satay.

There was a high turnover of non-food shops. Of the original tenants, only Utsuwa-No-Yataka remained, the majority having moved on by 2003. By 2006, retail outlets included a tailor, jeweller, hairdresser, beauty shop, Chinese medicine shops, a martial arts school and store, furniture store, and the Sega Park arcade. The complex included a casino. Original okonomiyaki restaurant, Abeno, went on to earn a Michelin star after relocating to central London.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.abeno.co.uk/about |website=Abeno Okonomi-Yaki Restaurant |access-date=28 February 2025 |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630131946/https://www.abeno.co.uk/about |url-status=live }}

Oriental City became a focal point for the Oriental community, hosting events which promoted the cultural identity of different East Asian and Southeast Asian countries. These typically consisted of performing arts, and promoting the country's cuisine.

In 2006, Oriental City received about 10,000 weekly visitors.{{Cite news|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6158376.stm|title = Campaign to save 'real Chinatown'|date = 17 November 2006|archive-date = 6 December 2006|access-date = 19 November 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061206161956/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6158376.stm|url-status = live}}

File:Oriental City 1.JPG

In November 2006, Oriental City was bought by developer Development Securities who planned to demolish the centre and replace it with a B&Q, housing and a primary school. The developer stated that there would be provisions for the current tenants of Oriental City to continue in the new premises; however, the tenants objected. They argued the new complex would take up to nine years to complete, contrary to the developer's claimed three years. Tenants did not believe their businesses could survive the temporary relocation.{{cite news |title=Asian traders protest over plans to demolish "Oriental City" |first=Terry |last=Kirby| newspaper=The Independent |date=17 November 2006 |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1990385.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102122946/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1990385.ece |archive-date=2 January 2007 |access-date=19 November 2006}}{{cite web| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531165342/http://www.dimsum.co.uk/viewpoints/oriental-city-protest.html |title=Oriental City protest| website=Dimsum| url=http://www.dimsum.co.uk/viewpoints/oriental-city-protest.html |archive-date=31 May 2007}}

The East Asian community feared redevelopment would mean the loss of an important community focal point. The tenants shut their businesses for a day to protest at Brent Town Hall. They were backed by a long-time visitor to Oriental City, ex-Arsenal footballer and pundit Ian Wright, who met planning officials to object to the plans.{{cite web |title=Wright backs Oriental City fight |website=BBC News |date=4 December 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6205976.stm |access-date=6 December 2006 |archive-date=6 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206051417/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6205976.stm |url-status=live }}

In February 2007, the Chinese Consul General wrote to the then-Mayor of London Ken Livingstone to express his "deep concern" about the project, calling for the proposal to be modified.{{cite web| first=Steven |last=Shukor |title=Beijing enters Oriental City row |website=BBC News |date=8 February 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6342303.stm |access-date=8 February 2007}} Following a petition, it was announced that Oriental City would remain open until at least May 2008, rent free to the tenants. It closed its doors at 7:00 pm on Sunday 1 June 2008, with thousands of people flocking to Oriental City for the last time.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185651/http://www.dimsum.co.uk/viewpoints/oriental-city-agreement-reached.html |title=Oriental City Agreement Reached| website=Dimsum|url=http://www.dimsum.co.uk/viewpoints/oriental-city-agreement-reached.html| archive-date=27 September 2007}}

Development Securities attempted to sell their site to B&S Homes for £68 million. The purchasers paid a non refundable £16 million deposit but did not complete the purchase.{{cite news| title=Oriental City deal collapses |newspaper=Property Week |date=31 March 2009 |url=http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storycode=3137445 |access-date=19 August 2009}}

In early 2009, there was speculation that Oriental City would reopen. At the time, it was reported that discussions were taking place between the owners and former tenants, but in February 2010, the former tenants held a protest at the site over the continued closure. Morrisons was identified as interested in the site for a new supermarket.{{cite news | url=http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/morrisons_plan_to_open_supermarket_on_former_oriental_city_site_1_1225238 | title=Morrisons plan to open supermarket on Oriental City site | newspaper=Kilburn Times | date=1 March 2012 | archive-date=5 March 2012 | access-date=3 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305014403/http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/morrisons_plan_to_open_supermarket_on_former_oriental_city_site_1_1225238 | url-status=dead }}

In May 2013, planning permission was granted for a mixed-use development with Morrisons as an anchor tenant.{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Wilding |url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/sheppard-robson-wins-permission-for-%C2%A3150m-edgware-road-scheme/5055279.article |date=28 May 2013 |title=Sheppard Robson wins permission for 3150m{{super|2}} Edgware Road scheme |website=Business Daily |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723220641/http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/sheppard-robson-wins-permission-for-%C2%A3150m-edgware-road-scheme/5055279.article |url-status=live }} Its store opened in March 2016. Brent Council reserved a remaining part of the site for "Far Eastern and Oriental uses". {{convert|30,000|sqft|m2}} of restaurant space{{Cite web |url=http://399edgwareroad.co.uk/oriental-and-far-eastern-retail.htm |title=Oriental and far eastern retail - 399 Edgware Road - A new retail and residential development in Brent |access-date=8 February 2016 |website=399 Edgware Road |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213223453/http://399edgwareroad.co.uk/oriental-and-far-eastern-retail.htm |archive-date=13 February 2016 |url-status=dead }} became the Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall.{{cite web |date=2 June 2016 |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201706/02/WS59bbe3e8a310ded8ac18a180.html |website=China Daily |first=Angus |last=McNeice |access-date=28 February 2025 |title=New Asian food hall and cultural hub to open in North London |archive-date=28 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228154147/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201706/02/WS59bbe3e8a310ded8ac18a180.html |url-status=live }}

The centre was used as an abandoned mall in the BBC One series Luther. It appeared in the 2012 film Dredd, where it was restored to a semblance of its former glory with a Blade Runner-like makeover.{{cite web| url=https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/oriental-city-shopping-centre-collindale-north-london-october-2013.27437/|website=Derelict Places |title=Oriental City shopping centre, Colindale |date=27 October 2013| access-date=28 February 2025}} It was used in the first episode of the 2011 BBC Three series The Fades.{{cite web |url=https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/TheFades |title=The Fades |website=TV Tropes |access-date=28 February 2025 |archive-date=4 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304105854/https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/TheFades |url-status=live }}

Oriental City was the single location used for the 2012 TV film of a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Julius Caesar, directed by Gregory Doran.{{Cite web |website=Illuminations |first=John |last=Wyver |url=http://www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/tis-time-to-part-days-11-12/ |title='Tis time to part' [days 11 + 12] |date=5 May 2012 |access-date=8 August 2016 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917114151/http://www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/tis-time-to-part-days-11-12/ |url-status=live }} The complex appeared in 2013 during a first season episode of the BBC Two series Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, with Brooker wandering around various parts of the derelict car park, Zen Tian Di Chinese buffet and a set of escalators. The centre was used for the music video Bittersweet Memories by Welsh metalcore band Bullet For My Valentine.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

{{Portal|London|Architecture|Japan}}

• Japanese community of London
• Wing Yip

{{Commons category|Oriental City}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rQYzSefrCE Video of Oriental City Food Court taken 25.05.08]
• [https://www.flickr.com/groups/orientalcity/ Flickr group for photos and videos of Oriental City]
• [https://www.flickr.com/photos/route79/sets/72157601526605391/ Route79's Flickr pictures of Oriental City]

{{Shopping centres in London}}

Category:Shopping centres in the London Borough of Brent

Category:Former buildings and structures in the London Borough of Brent

Category:Demolished buildings and structures in London

Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2014

Category:Defunct shopping centres in the United Kingdom

Category:Asian diaspora in the United Kingdom