Bond Street station advertising shows scope of public space commodification

For one week, London’s Bond Street station was renamed ‘Burberry Street’ to advertise the fashion house of the same name. It caused outrage and shows how public spaces are increasingly being used to aggressively advertise.

Commuters in London were left confused last week when Bond Street station was changed to ‘Burberry Street’ in collaboration with the fashion house of the same name.

Complaints were sent to TfL by travellers who were befuddled during their journeys. Anonymous staff members said that customers had reported missing their stops, with one commenting to the New York Times, ‘I heard all different things, but nothing positive unfortunately.’

Bond Street’s name change was quite extensive, too. Signs on the platform were swapped out, as well as travel maps by escalators and the outside sign on the high street.