New home for old stone

A monumental stone lodged in the history of the UK optical profession is to be relocated to avoid demolition at its current London site.

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (SMC) expressed delight at plans for the London Stone to be moved from a building on Cannon Street in Central London, which is currently being used as a makeshift cafeteria for construction workers.

The SMC used the stone for its first ceremonial smashing of sub-standard spectacles ‘found bad and deceitful’ in the 17th century. Despite an initial bid, the stone will not be moved to the courtyard of the SMC’s Apothecaries’ Hall headquarters.