Getting high on a gherkin

The City of London's newest skyscraper, which has been irreverently christened the "erotic gherkin", will contain the highest restaurant in London.

The tower, more prosaically known by its address of 30 St Mary Axe, may not have the "highest restaurant" title for long, however. The BT Tower is taller and has plans to reopen its restaurant, which was closed in 1971 after a bomb attack.

An operator for the restaurant at the summit of the gherkin has not been found, although a spokesman for the building's developers said that talks were under way.

It is probable that it will be open only to those in the building and their guests.

The restaurant is expected to be open by the end of next year.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 5-11 December 2002