Comments on: Spitalfields Market In The Eighties

By: Leonard Stevenson

Leonard Stevenson — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:36:04 +0000

I worked in the market in the 80s it was a magical place to work, once you were in the market it was a different world, I used to mend, repair and build the electric floats that carried the fruit and veg out to the waiting lorries and vans. I think there must have been 50 to 60 of this type of float.
I worked for Keith Deering Electric Vehicle Services, a well known name in the electric vehicle world. I think L&H Starns in the end were called the Starns Group and we supplied floats to them in Spitalfeilds and Covent Garden at nine elms.
I agree with James Harris Nothing stays the same but spitalfeilds should have.
I did visit the market on28/06/22 and i must say i was sad to see how it has been developed.

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 16:50:53 +0000

What wonderful pictures. I’m sure I was at school during late 50s/early 60s with someone called Lodomore, Victor? perhaps. Will have to rack my brains, though a quick online search came up with several Lodomores, so maybe it’s not such an unusual name?

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:57:44 +0000

I worked for Gibbs and Pardoe from 86-92.
Lots of happy memories! On one occasion they were filming The Bill.
Brilliant photos

By: James Harris

James Harris — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 07:59:03 +0000

Dear Gentle Author,
My dad was one of the security staff at Spitalfields Market from the mid seventies until the mid to late eighties and the adventurous night I had with him at the age of 11 when I went to work with him on a night shift in the summer of 1978.

As a young lad it was an amazing place. The sights, sounds and smells. I experienced the place from 10 o’clock at night until 6 the next morning. From relatively quiet with hardly anyone about, slowly growing busier until dad told me to stick by his side as there was so much going on, lorries turning up, forklifts buzzing about and lots of busy people buying and selling.
Wandering around the Fruit & Wool exchange in the pitch black was the scariest bit. Dad insisted on doing it without turning on the torch whilst doing his rounds checking everything was locked and no intruders.

It is a night vividly etched in my mind and those photographs are very reminiscent of my adventure.

We all know nothing stays the same but I wish that Spitalfields could have.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:14:25 +0000

Superb. A great complement to the Jackson & Davies work. Only a few years between but these show vibrancy whereas the others are much more reflective, for obvious reasons. What a find.

By: Greg T

Greg T — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 07:53:27 +0000

Very reminiscent of Borough Market, before it “re-invented” itself.
– And yes, I remember Spitalfields, as well