12/19/2025
In 1961, a corner shop in Spitalfields was more than a place to buy essentials—it was a social anchor for the neighbourhood. Nestled between terraced houses and weathered brick buildings, these small, often family-run shops sold bread, milk, loose tea, jars of sweets, and tins of biscuits. The shopkeeper knew customers by name, children spent pocket money on penny chews, and neighbours exchanged gossip across the wooden counter. Without barcodes or self-checkouts, weighing scales and a clinking cash drawer set the pace of trade, making each transaction personal and familiar.
Spitalfields at the time was alive with the bustle of markets and street traders, yet it was also quietly evolving. Post-war immigration, particularly from Bangladesh and Eastern Europe, brought new foods and customs to the area. Shelves that once held only Bovril, OXO cubes, and Lyons tea began to make room for jars of pickles, fragrant spices, and unfamiliar sweets. These subtle changes reflected a deeper story of integration, as the corner shop became a space where traditional London comforts blended with the flavours and traditions of its new residents.
Though unassuming, the corner shop played a vital role in holding the community together. Credit was often given on trust, children could shop alone without concern, and regulars were greeted like family. In an era when supermarkets were just beginning to expand, the corner shop stood as a reminder of a slower, more personal way of life. In Spitalfields, it wasn’t just a business—it was a heartbeat of the neighbourhood, wrapped in brown paper and carried home by hand. See less
Comments
Earl Okin
It looks as if it were the inspitarion for New York's 'Flat Iron' building.
18w
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Angel Hill Tree
I remember lots of shops like this. They sold food. Separate shops. Bakers. Green grocers. Grocers. And sweet shops. The only shop from my childhood in the high street that I can remember is Woolworths and Safeway’s. Which we rarely went to. ❤️
18w
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Bern Hunter
There was the shop too in Stepney Green on the corner of some flats.