Due to the decline in freight transported by railway during the 1980s, Kings Cross became a derelict, underfunded area. This impacted the local community significantly, the majority of which were impoverished and unemployed. It became a site that was rife with unsafe practices, such as drug abuse and prostitution.

The decline of the King's Cross area in London was primarily driven by the post-WWII industrial downturn and the shifting nature of the railway industry. Historically a bustling hub for coal, grain, and Victorian industry, the neighborhood suffered as freight traffic moved from rail to road and cleaner energy sources replaced coal. By the mid-20th century, the massive "lands" behind the stations became derelict, leading to urban decay, high crime rates, and a reputation as a "red-light district." The area was effectively cut off from the rest of London by the physical barriers of the railway tracks and canals, creating an isolated pocket of poverty. However, this neglect eventually paved the way for the massive King's Cross Central regeneration project in the early 21st century, which transformed the "badlands" into the tech and cultural hub (home to Google and Central Saint Martins) seen today.