The aim of this project is the development of surface plasmon assisted methodologies to producing functional "slow-light" at microwave and potentially up to telecommunication frequencies. Such techniques may be used in future controllable, variable, optical memories. The seemingly simple all-optical buffering function is one of the most critically sought-after components in modern photonics research, fibre-optic telecommunication networks and signal-processing technologies. So far, however, it has not been realized, despite considerable effort. The core of this proposed programme of research will be the development of controllable, structured plasmonic surfaces, capable of dramatically decelerating subwavelength light signals and/or exhibiting negative refraction without necessarily possessing a bulk effective negative refractive index. We will employ state-of-the-art numerical techniques, closely coupled to novel analytic approaches developed by the participating research groups to model candidate structures, fabricating and characterising the most promising structures. Our basic idea will centre on designing the geometrical features of the planar and photonic-crystal-like plasmonic waveguides, such that they can controllably and adiabatically decelerate or, conceivably, completely stop regular or 'spoof' surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), effectively behaving as all-optical memories.