1970 to 1990

At the cinema is Zabriske Point by Antonioni (1970)...

...and The Beatles return for the last time with Let It Be

After over 40 years of presence on Piccadilly Circus, Guinness disappear...

...leaving the old Amery & Loader building exposed for the first time since the 1920s.
Saqui & Lawrence (signs for which had been on Piccadilly Circus since the 1910s!) give way to H.Samuel/Rotary Watches.

FLASHBACK:

The Daily Express sign disappears and the space next to Gordon's is free again.

The message banner under Wrigley's has gone.
At the cinema Leo The Last (1970)

Not a very apt backdrop for Black Sabbath

Another historic change with a new sign for Coca-Cola.
The Daidquiri Rum sign above Coca-Cola has gone also.

Lloyd's have a new colourful sign featuring neon cartoon characters:
"Lloyd's people come in all shapes and sizes..."

This view down Glasshouse Street reveals the neon signs on the Regent Palace Hotel

The Bulova Watches sign is dismantled

Volkswagen replace Gold Leaf Cigarettes and Bulova install a smaller sign with a digital clock.
Wrigley's change their sign yet again and Commercial Union reappear next to Gordon's Gin.
Michael Caine stars in Pulp (1972)

General Accident replace Daily Express

Footage from 1970

Lloyds Bank disappear and Wrigley's go back to Spearmint.
Max Factor are dismantled on the Pavilion roof.
At the cinema is Solent Green with Charlton Heston (1973)

This night shot reveals different aspects of the Coca-Cola and Volkswagen signs.
Mopar (car parts) arrive above Bulova.

More like 1972

On the side of London Pavillion, Embassy Cigarettes vanish.
At the cinema is Ken Russel's The Music Lovers (1973)

Lloyd's and Commercial Union disappear. Piccadilly Circus looks a mess here.
At the cinema is Clarence Darrow with Henry Fonda (1974).

A better view of the new Mopar and Bulover signs

Not a good Piccadilly spread for a postcard

Tic-Tac mints replace Mon Cheri chocolates and General Accident have updated their sign.

Another historic change with the disappearance of Gordons Gin, after over 50 years on the corner of the Pavilion.
Max Factor have been taken down too.

Fuji Film take the wide space which was previously home to Gordon's Gin and Commercial Union.

A rare close-up view of the Tic-Tac sign. On the roof, in place of Max Factor are three seperate signs.
At the cinema: Confessions Of A Driving Instructor (1976)

The Volkswagon and H. Samuel/Rotary signs have gone.

At the cinema is Death Race 2000 with David Carradine (1975).
Still no takers on the right of Coca-Cola and there is a good reason...

Major works at Piccadilly Circus with the demolition four old buildings that were behind the modern signs.
Philips take the top spot where Volkswagon previously shone. Cinzano and Skol have disappeared.

Flashback:

1979 and things have changed considerably! Most importantly, the London Pavilion has lost all its signs and is now restored to its former architectural glory.
On the new building to the left, Coca-Cola have moved up, to be aligned with the Philips sign.
A JVC banner is added for good measure. Canon appear next to Coca-Cola and under Philips, Fuji have moved across from the Pavillion to take the space left by Cinzano and Skol have a new sign.

Sanyo take the space next to Skol

At night this became veritable wall of light and colour.

A rare shot of the first Sanyo sign...

...which was soon updated

Into the 80s and Philips have a new sign incorporating a digital clock
and Lowenbrau replace Skol

After 50 years of Piccadilly dominance, Coca-Cola reduce their sign by half and include a message board.
BASF take the freed space and Panasonic replace Canon.