Chris Miles’ East End
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Chris Miles contacted me from Vancouver Island, where he describes himself as a Londoner in exile. ‘In the early seventies, I lived as a recently-graduated student in the East End, firstly on Grove Rd and then on Lauriston Rd above a supermarket,’ he explained and sent me his splendid photographs. Most were taken around Bethnal Green, Roman Rd and Mile End, and Chris & I welcome identification of precise locations from eagle-eyed readers.
George Davis is Innocent, Mile End Rd
Linda ‘n Laura
Getting a loaf, Stepney Green
S Kornbloom, Newsagent & Confectioner, Jubilee St
Corner Shop Groceries & Provisions, Stepney Way
Ronchetti’s Cafe, Piano’s & Kitchen Chairs Wanted
Snacks & Grills
The Bell Dining Rooms, Lot 63 Buildings at back
Leslies Restaurant, Fresh Up with your Meal
Harry’s Cafe, Teas & Snacks, Breakfasts & Dinners
Valente’s Cafe, Hackney Rd
Cafe Restaurant
Dinkie
Station Cafe
Fish Bar
J Kelly, No Prams or Trollie’s, Please
G Kelly
Charlie & Mick’s Cafe
Menu at Charlie & Mick’s Cafe
John Pelican
Joe’s Saloon – ‘We cater for long and short hair styles’
M Evans & Sons, Garn Dairy
Marion’s, Blouses, Trouser Suits, Smock Dresses, Ect.
Sunset Stores
N Berg, Watch & Clock Repairs
S Grant, High Class Tailor, Seamens Outfitter
Littlewood Brothers Ltd, Domestic Stores, Grocery & Hardware
J Galley & Sons, Established 1901
Henry Freund & Son, Established 1837
Rito for Better Roof Repairs
Common Market NO
Alan Enterprises Ltd, L & R Ostroff Ltd, Brick Lane
Photographs copyright © Chris Miles
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I used to live from 2002 to 2003 in a small street off Bethnal Green Rd, two blocks away from Brick Lane, and I have to say that the area has not been the same since, especially after the total makeover (or rather, destruction) of Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market. These photographs definitely convey the feeling of London in the pre-tourist era. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for this blog. Some things should never be forgotten.
A mixture of some sad pictures and some with life .
Excellent photos. I think the barbers could be the one down Three Colts Lane, Bethnal Green. Possibly.
Each of the small shops once meant ‘the whole world’ to the owner. The reasons why they went bankrupt are different. Today, history is repeating itself in a similar way: An infinite number of small speciality shops have gone out of business because of the so-called ‘pandemic’…
Love & Peace
ACHIM
More very evocative images. I never did manage to eat jellied eels (just the thought of them made me heave), though my dad loved then!
J. Kelly pie and mash shop used to be on Roman Road (Green Street), Bethnal Green opposite where the Cranbrook Estate now stands.
M. Evans Garn Dairy was in Globe Road, Bethnal Green, between Kirkwall Place and Green Street.
J. Galley and Sons was in Roman Road, Bow, near the junction with Ellesmere Road.
Excellent photographs of a London that feels deserted and lost in time, caught at the nadir of the East End, before – for better or for worse- the Thatcher revolution transformed London.
My favourite photograph is of Charlie and Mick’s cafe. Before they started up the corner shop on Stella Street…
What a wonderful selection of photographs. Lived in the suburbs but remember all those little caffs and corner shops dotted around in my childhood.
Am old enough to remember “George Davis is Innocent” everywhere but can’t for the life of me recall what it was he did or didn’t do!