Comments on: At the Old Spitalfields Fruit & Vegetable Market

By: Kate Jackson

Kate Jackson — Sun, 01 Nov 2026 21:13:48 +0000

What a beautiful page to stumble upon, I have loved reading all your comments, I spent a lot of time at old Spitalfields with my dad Mike Jackson and my uncle Brian Jackson, we all worked in the shops at weekends and during school holidays growing up. We had one in Islington and one in Stoke Newington. I have so many fond memories of the lovely gents that worked there. And as someone else mentioned waiting in the cafe while the van was loaded with my cup of tea and bacon and mushroom sandwich on the freshest doorstep bread you’ve ever had. I do have particularly fond memories of one porter, I don’t know his real name but everyone called him Billy the Budgie, I think it was because he was always singing and whistling. I also remember the Ireton family very fondly. I am the youngest of Michael’s children but my sisters and brother would also have spent a lot of time at the market. I was going to work with my dad from the age of 5 and the skills I learnt still benefit me at nearly 50. I never met a bad person or had a bad experience at that market, my dad could pop me on any porters cart and they would take me for a drive, make sure I had something nice to eat and return me to my dad happy. So many gentleman in one place (although I do remember rather a lot of page 3 style photos on the walls that wouldn’t be acceptable today ) Thank you everyone So much for these photos and to everyone that commented, you’ve brought back to life a part of my childhood that I adored

By: Christine Richardson

Christine Richardson — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:15:40 +0000

Anyone remember my grandad Jimmy Castle who worked rhere ⁶0’s, 70’s, his son my uncle Jimmy and my cousin (Jimmys son)Mark Castle?

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:09:36 +0000

Wow you have captured my grandad… Len White 🙂 please feel free to contact me as I’ve been trying to search off and on for years to find more images of my grandad and my dad.

By: Phil cook

Phil cook — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:09:42 +0000

I used to go to the market with my dad he would drive a lorry from Southmore the base of Cox and son a whole saler of fruit and veg. We would fill a lorry with good from the markets to take back. On the way to spittlefields the lorry would be loaded with empty crates and boxes which would be collectwd by the stall holders they would then bring our orders to the lorry either with sack trucks of hand carts it was great and I loved going with him even tho it ment skipping school

By: Vincent Watkins

Vincent Watkins — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 10:30:44 +0000

I was touched by the stories and have memories of going there as a kid. Did anybody buy mushrooms from George Harlow, 17 Lamb Street?

By: Hilary O'Connell

Hilary O'Connell — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 21:16:15 +0000

Hi Hannah,
how wonderful to think that a crate from Thomas Conway, Spitalfields still exists.
The original name of the company was Thomas Cohen & Sons but when my grandfather died his eldest son, Thomas took over. The family name had changed to Conway and the name of the market stand was changed as well. I think it was about the mid 1960’s. I remember that in all the crates were fruit (always shined up to display well) and vegetables best ones at the top. I remember cauliflowers in rows which always looked regimented and delicious. All the market stands were trying to attract the buyers so very important for everything to look tip top!
Thank you for letting me know. Treasure it.

By: David Pelling

David Pelling — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:56:10 +0000

Hi David Russell. I’m very interested in your time with J &J Lyons. I am a distant relative of Julius/Joseph /John Lyons and am in the process of researching their fascinating lives. If you are willing, I would be keen to get in contact with you.

By: David Russell

David Russell — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 09:52:50 +0000

Bill Haynes
I used to work For J&J Lyon’s Gun street
Starting there in 1961 straight from school I was booking in boy
This is we’re I meat my wife she was switchboard operator in 1962
And we are still together now 56 years off marriage
I remember John Lyon’s and he was a bit of a playboy if I remember rightly he had a mg sports car
We visited Spitalfields last Saturday to relive our memories Percy dalton’s sign still above his shop on corner great to see how the place is thriving now

By: Hannah

Hannah — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 07:59:38 +0000

Hi Hilary O’Connell (Conway)

We have an original wooden Thomas Conway Spitalfields crate at home, but I have no idea how old it is or what it might have contained. Any info would be much appreciated!

Many thanks
Hannah x

By: michael edward hardie

michael edward hardie — Sun, 19 Dec 2021 10:39:04 +0000

my wife used to walk through the market every day to school.
peabody buildings in commercial street to sir john cass aldgate