Comments on: A Lost Corner Of Whitechapel

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:41:40 +0000

I worked at Brady House on Durward St from 1983-86. After wondering round today, I think the building was on the site of what is now a sixth form. The area was certainly seedy in those days but never boring. One of the Ripper victims was found on the site of Brady House and, as a result, we were a regular stop on one of the ‘Ripper’ tours.
I was a ‘refugee’ from the north but I was lucky enough to work with Myra Tentzer, a born & bred eastender who, as well as being a brilliant story teller, was a wonderful person. She took this naive northerner under her wing and remained a good friend until her very premature death. It is still one of my biggest regrets that I failed to attend her funeral.

By: peter debuse

peter debuse — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 04:09:10 +0000

As a newly qualified doctor I lived “on the house” at the ,then, London Hospital.

we used the Grave Maurice amongst others for social gatherings with the benefit

of the publicans phone to tell us of any emergency requiring our presence

By: Leigh Walters

Leigh Walters — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 16:00:30 +0000

Were the Woods Building accessed from. Whitchapel High Street and you would walk through and over the railway and aceess the road which was Buck’s Row. When I first went to London I decided to do my own Ripper Walk and remember coming out of the station and turning left to go through an alleyway which I remembered smelt of urine.

By: Lynn tuckwell (levy)

Lynn tuckwell (levy) — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 20:49:46 +0000

Answer to Darryl baker’s question, , yes am Blanche’s daughter. I’m Lynn and my sister is Sandra. I had 3 brothers but one died 3 years ago. I lived right opposite the iron gates, which I knew as a tea factory. My sister and I worked there sometimes and got some pocket money from the owner (Bill). We were 14 years and 11 years old at the time. Great pictures and stories. Thank you.

By: Stewart

Stewart — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 13:32:01 +0000

While much of the alley has doubtless disappeared in recent years with developments at Whitechapel station, contrary to what’s suggested by one or two earlier comments, the entrance to Woods Buildings is still visible from the Mile End Road – albeit now with heavy duty gate – as seen here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5190392,-0.0602257,3a,31.8y,4.43h,90.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2fQvgKbHiURNnHrGiH0srQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

By: Jim Whiting

Jim Whiting — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 17:23:34 +0000

As a youngster I lived in Brady St Buildings until November 1956. We lived on the too floor, opposite the old storage docks warehouse & I remember watching the men haul up the goods. This was just past the pub “The Roebuck” on the corner of Deward St, which had the old street plate “ formerly Bucks Row” of Jack the Ripper fame. The buildings must have been demolished in the early 70’s I think? I was almost 7 years old when I left.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 07:43:01 +0000

I lived in Blackwall Buildings until 1965 then moved to Brady Street dwellings and finally Mocatta house on Brady street. I knew Winthrop street well, for a time I’d walk a dog for a young married couple who were pleased to let someone take him out, I’d pretend he was mine if asked, he was a lovely golden retriever called Sandy. I remember the tea blenders, a guy and his son had a pony and trap they kept there. I remember the garage and the monumental stone masons further down toward Brady street. The bakers on the corner became a Kossoffs bakery.
The picture of the large steel doorframe was a garage too, owned by Mick the Greek. The alleyway of woods buildings had slanted timber benches on the walls for people to sit on while queuing for the pawnbrokers who would serve them from a hatch in a steel door on the left opposite the disgusting urinal. So many memories.

By: Richard Leeson

Richard Leeson — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 10:22:20 +0000

My Great Great Grandfather James Leeson (a tailor) lived in 17 Woods Buildings, with wife Sarah and 7 children, according to the 1861 Census and was still living there at the 1871 Census with his wife and 5 children.
It’s fascinating to see picture of the area were they lived – black and white photos are so evocative – thank you for sharing them

By: Darryl Baker

Darryl Baker — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 23:37:27 +0000

John, thanks I was racking my Brains to remember the name of the Tea Warehouse on Winthrop Street, off course it was Richards Tea. The two huge warehouses on Durward Street were owned by Kearley & Tonge, AKA International Foods or London & Provincial. The Old School in the late 1960s was owned by Shneiders (Guards Menswear). Buck & Hickman were located adjacent to St. Mary’s Park on Adler Street.

By: John

John — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 21:30:52 +0000

I lived in Whitechapel from 1958 till 1982 when I moved. The large iron gates were the entrance to Richards tea blending warehouse. If you wanted to be posh it was Richard’s blend, for the more down to earth Dickie’s brew. It was excellent loose leaf tea regardless. Just beyond the iron gates there was a garage that my father rented from Richard. The photograph of Durward street showing the school would appear to have been taken from ‘The Grave Maurice’ on Whitechapel road. To the right of the derelict school, Buck and Hickmans and Guards had huge warehouses which were demolished in the late 1960’s. The empty sites were used as car parking and then evolved into a market where the fracas is taking place. Woods buildings were always grim. You held your breath when passing through as the smell of urine was overpowering. Every so often the council would spray the area with Jeyes fluid, which was just as bad! The houses on Winthrop street were simple brick built dwellings that could have been renovated and improved. The site was left derelict for years.