The Demise Of Cheshire Street East London
These photographs were taken a few weeks before this warehouse was demolished and the space used for a luxury housing development. There used to be a number of warehouses on Cheshire Street which facilitated a rich variety of stalls catering for a wide range of tastes. You could by a restored valve radio, cameras, tools, CD’s, clothes and old photographs and paintings. It was a delight to simply walk through the warehouse just to view the stalls. The man sitting behind the jewelry appears to be looking around in a way that suggests he doesn’t want certain people to see the contents of his glass case.
Man viewing jewelery in a glass case, Cheshire Street warehouse 2010
Although the cabinet is partially held up by an empty coke tin the demeanour of the owner of the wood and glass cabinet adds an air of urgency to any potential sale. His body language is communicating: “everything in the case is for sale at well below the market value but you had better buy quickly as I will be leaving soon.”
Man viewing watches in a glass case, Cheshire Street warehouse 2010
Sadly there are no warehouses left on Cheshire Street that sustain men with glass cases full of jewelry and watches. It is no longer possible to buy a restored valve radio or old watch. The place has become gated and ‘organic’.
Cheshire Street, 1983
Cheshire Street 2015
Cheshire Street c.1985
Cheshire Street 2002
Cheshire Street c. 1986
Cheshire Street Cafe c.1985
Cheshire Street 2002
Cheshire Street c.1984
Cheshire Street 2014
