The View from The Shard, a new events space and visitor experience, will open to visitors on 1 February. Tickets for the experience went on sale on 6 July and, according to officials, more than 17,500 people already have shown interest.

The View from The Shard -  which, when it opens later in London Bridge this year, will be Europe’s tallest building - will overlook London from 244 metres above sea level, with 360-degree panoramas and a 64-mile horizon. Visitors will travel up to Level 68 in 30 seconds before walking one more storey to a 'triple-height, light-filled' area where the view is revealed. They can also walk up to Level 72, at the full 244 metres, where they can look up at the 'shards' of glass that form the building’s top.

As previously announced, a 195-room Shangri-La Hotel will occupy storeys 34 to 52 of the building, also offering meeting and event space.