Comments on: At Empress Coaches

By: Derek Bell

Derek Bell — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:46:19 +0000

There’s such a beauty in the places where history still breathes. An alchemy of people, time and place. Thanks.

By: Peter Morris

Peter Morris — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 00:57:15 +0000

Great piece of writing. I love the way you act on your instincts; you know a story has to be written, so you write it.

By: Sparks

Sparks — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 10:15:11 +0000

I love that building – I spotted the house straight away when I went to see the Tinker, Tailor film.
I would like to know the history of the building and if it would have been something to do with the canal system.
It’s a very interesting little area with the gas holders etc – no doubt sadly destined for demolition at some point in the future.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 07:53:55 +0000

Ive often wondered about this place, thamks for the article. The premises are what must have been charming early 19th cent villas, how i wish they wouldn’t just be demolished when the business finally closes. I wonder who owns it now? Did you find out?

By: Greg Tingey

Greg Tingey — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 07:05:03 +0000

IIRC that “last unreconstructed bomb site” is there for the same reason the gasholders are still there, in spite of developers wanting to knock it all down (Including Empress Coaches ) & build modern expensive tat, instead ….
The underlying ground is seriously polluted (to say the least) & any new build would involve disturbing this, meaning a vast, long-lasting & very expensive clean-up.
However, if it is simply left alone, the buried pollutants are not going anywhere.

By: Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 05:09:59 +0000

It’s a shame it won’t carry on forever! My former wife’s Australian aunt, whenever in London and needing to get somewhere quickly, would jump onto a no 8 bus, swearing that it went everywhere (I don’t know if she was ever disabused of the notion).