Footway

When the National Portrait Gallery reopens its doors on 30 November, it will admit members of the public to an enormously improved and enlarged exhibition space within. The Queen Street pavement outside will also be expanded, stretching to roughly twice its current width on the Gallery's northern elevation.

This prioritisation of pedestrians is very welcome, although it will entail the loss of a minor, peripheral-vision landmark which has long intrigued and comforted passers-by: the small brass letters spelling 'STUART'S GRANOLITHIC'.