Battersea Power Station is preparing to launch a new visitor attraction, the 'Chimney Lift Experience', which will allow people to ascend inside one of its iconic chimneys. The proposal, which has been submitted for listed building consent, involves the erection of structures, freestanding furniture, and an illuminated sign within Turbine Hall A of the Grade II* listed building.
The 'Chimney Lift Experience' aims to transport visitors back in time, recreating a 1930s or 1920s office setting. This will include displays of Giles Gilbert Scott's blueprints for the power station, an interactive screen providing information about its historical function, and some images up on the walls.
The application is part retrospective, meaning some works have already been implemented. During a meeting of the Wandsworth Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee on March 10, 2026, members discussed the proposals. While acknowledging the need for improved wayfinding within the power station and the potential to boost visitor numbers for the experience, some committee members expressed reservations.
Concerns were raised about the potential for the new structures to detract from the spatial qualities of the Turbine Hall and set a precedent for further additions that could lead to clutter. In response to these concerns, banners that were previously introduced at the pre-application stage have been removed. The committee also expressed reservations about the rather ham-fisted, if small, intervention
and the potential for it to set a precedent for clutter or development on, on, on this balcony.
Despite these reservations, the committee noted that the intervention was not considered a major alteration to the historic fabric of the building. However, the meeting information suggests that the 'Chimney Lift Experience' is not well-integrated or easily found within Battersea Power Station, leading to concerns about its uptake. The committee noted, it is actually quite difficult to find the lift experience. And that's a problem of, an acknowledged problem, I think in the power station of wayfinding. The, the wayfinding, the noticing, and so on. Is, uh, simply does not work effectively at, at the moment.
The introduction of a sign on the balcony is described as a wayfinding mechanism within the turbine hall.
Historically, the 'Chimney Lift Experience' was known as 'Lift 109', but the name has been changed as part of the new offering.
Further details of the committee's discussions can be found in the Public reports pack.
