The Post Office Tower - A Communications Icon
...The Eighties: Changes at the Top
Changes at the Top
In 1980 the lease on the revolving restaurant expired and with it ended the public access to the building.

However, the Tower remained a showcase for the company with further changes taking place at the top...
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Changes at the Top

In 1980, a set three-course menu was being offered for £8.90 in the revolving restaurant, 'topofthetower'. However, this closed on 14th June when the lease to Butlin's expired. Thus ended the 'Post Office' era at the Tower.

Although the public no longer had access to the Tower, it was still a great publicity vehicle for the new corporation British Telecom-part of the Post Office, which was formed in 1981.

In December 1981, the first digital microwave aerials (8 in all) were installed by a massive crane which hoisted them up to the aerial galleries. One of the first new links to operate was the one to Birmingham. The crane was supplied by J.D. White of Cleveland. It is thought that three of the original eight horn aerials were removed at this time.

By 1984, British Telecommunications Plc was born and the 34th floor was refurbished to become part of the 'Tower Suite' a centre for business excellence- presentations, seminars, functions and charity events, strictly for invited guests only.  Image was all important as the Company attempted to shake off the old Post Office associations. At about this time the lettering "BRITISH TELECOM" was  added to the outside of the Tower. Also (date unknown) the name plate (Post Office Tower) in the foyer was removed and put into storage.

TV Productions

In May 1986 the remaining horn aerials routes were replaced with (4) high capacity modern dish antenna, each 3.7 metres in diameter. Five of the original eight horn aerials were left in situ. The listed building status (from 2003) prevents removal of any more horn aerials, without special consent.

Crane
Crane
This special advert was commissioned as part of the "British Telecom-It's you we answer to" campaign.

'Crane' told the story of an elderly lady complaining of a noisy line. Just to satisfy her, (and a few million other customers) many of the old horn aerials on the Tower were replaced with modern dish antenna to give improved capacity and transmission on many routes. And did she appreciate it - no!


The new aerials were hoisted to the top of the Tower by a giant crane supplied by Grayston, White & Sparrow Ltd.
   
References
BT Today Jan 1982
BT Journal Summer 1986
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