Comments on: Frost Bros, Rope Makers & Yarn Spinners

By: Peter H

Peter H — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:06:22 +0000

A fascinating piece, thanks. One can only imagine the unrelenting noise the workers endured daily within these vast premises.. The smell must have been amazing too. The last pic of the exhibition stand is wonderful.

By: getrimming

getrimming — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:54:30 +0000

Amazing that only a small publication now preserves the story of such a major enterprise. Cable Street’s name suddenly feels much more meaningful.

By: A Pilkington

A Pilkington — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:34:55 +0000

What a fascinating set of old photos. I hadn’t ever thought about how long the buildings would have been at that time. What a hard life for those workers.

By: JerryW

JerryW — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:56:55 +0000

Fascinating! And rope-making can still be seen in action at Chatham Dockyard.
Interesting to note the apparently strict male/female segregation .. each have their own jobs.

By: Lorelei Hunt

Lorelei Hunt — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:39:03 +0000

Good to see this history of ropemaking in London. This is also reflected in the names of Twine Terrace and Ropery Street in Mile End.
And of course, all entirely sustainable. All of these hemp based products will eventually biodegrade, leaving nothing behind them.
The factories look so incredibly clean and tidy in these images, but I did wonder about the health of the workers? They must have been breathing in a lot of hemp fibres?
Thank you again for a glimpse into London’s industrial past.

By: Andy Stone

Andy Stone — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:26:52 +0000

Great images but was the building in Commercial Road, or Commercial St? It refers to both.