Brick Lane and Quaker Street junction
Newsagents, Quaker Street & Brick Lane junction 1985
Over the years I have noticed that particular parts of Brick Lane have developed their own personality. The junction of Brick Lane with Quaker Street is a good example of this. All the buildings in this photograph were demolished in the late 1980’s. Harry’s newsagents shop is now the office of a housing association. Across the road was a pub which shut down for a number of years and re-opened as a trendy coffee shop only to be replaced by an even trendier clothes shop. It may be just a lingering nostalgia on my part but whenever I go to this junction I can still sense the newsagents and the pub. I wonder if the changing personality of this space takes with it the past and in some way retains an imprint of all that went on before?
Newsagents, Quaker Street & Brick Lane junction 1985
This delightful lady emerged gracefully from the darkness of the shop in time for my photograph. On this occasion I watched her walk in and waited for her exit.
Corner of Brick Lane and Quaker Street, 1999
Opposite the newsagents is part of the old Truman brewery complex. A constant piece of architecture that now hosts a bowling alley that can be entered a few meters from where the man is standing.
Harry at the entrance to his shop, 1985
This is Harry who ran his shop for many years. I’m not sure who the Lady is.
Junction of Brick Lane and Quaker Street, 2000
Excellent, I own a printing comapny that was located at 176 Brick Lane until 1976, – by the alley leading to Shoreditch Station and Pedley Street. I remember Harry and Marion running this tobacconist for many a year, and then the council did a complusary purchase on them and paid them nothing for the building. In fact I think Harry died before he got paid!!. As a past time, I am compiling a nostalgic collection of images of the UK, http://www.history-in-pictures.co.uk at present mostly East London and Essex, Struggle to find much on Brick Lane as most of the people living there in 1900 would have been illiterate. But it will grow, I promise. Excellent pictures and great memories, THANKS
Yo Phil. Harry (The Fisherman) and his wife Marion..
i used to go in that shop after school.
I miss Harry big time I grew up in quaker street in the 1980s!!! I would ????appreciate if u could forward me wiv these pics plz!!
I remember Harry Fischerman and his wife Marion, I lived in Quaker Street, my mum would send me there to buy half an ounce of Golden Virginia tobacco for my dad, and it always went “on the bill” until she could afford to pay for it. I got a job at Harrys when I was about 11 serving in the shop. Mum knew Harry and Marion really well.
Great Eastern buildings just along from Harrys and I was always scared to walk past there to ge home as the kids used to stand at the gates and threaten you. Happy days indeed!
I lived @ 47 Quaker st above leons shop as a kid from 1957 then moved to code st round the corner from Harrys and I also helped out in the shop, my dad had a garage called sos motors in Brick lane just before the arches really just wanted to say hi
hi.i lived in great eastern buildings in the early 70s.i loved old harry.a gentleman.
My mother grew up in Great Eastern Buildings (number 87) during 1920s-1940s. Do you have any pictures or layout of the buildings and the flats? Last summer (June 2014) while in London I took a detour to visit Quaker Street knowing the buildings were demolished, but wanting to get the feel of the street where my mother grew up. Could you give me any indication where abouts in Quaker Street they were? What’s standing there now? It is quite difficult to find out anything about the buildings.
Hi HB,
I lived in the buildings during the 60s. Now I am writing my memories. Would love to speak with you.
I don’t think we can put email addresses on here but I will try (fingers crossed) hrs177@aol.com
My grandmother lived in Great Eastern Buildings. From 1907 until she came to live with us in 1969. I never, in all the times I visited saw anyone threatened at the gate.
Hi Chris, have just seen your comments concerning your grandmother living in Great Eastern Buildings Quaker Street and realised that our family’s would definitely have known each other. My mums family was the Holliday’s and my granddad Alf was the caretaker all during the war till he died in the early 6o’s He lived in the first block on the right with his wife Mabel, sons Eddie, Alf, and daughters Mabel {my mum} and Alberta. My maiden name was Whatman and was also brought up there being born in 1950 and living at no’s 30, 32, 77 and after they were converted no 76 till I got married in 1969. My mum moved soon after. My Dad Bill Whatman became a well known local hero in the 60’s organising the tenants to fight owners at rent rises and lack of repairs. Sadly he died suddenly in 1967 in full flow at the age of 39.
I have just spent an afternoon with my mum 86 and Uncle Alf 91 talking about old times and it this bought of nostalgia that sparked the browsing of this web sight. Please let me know your nans family name and in which block she lived .You never know we may have known each other…Regards. Carol Garrett.( Carol whatman]
My mum lived in the first block on the right (I believe). I have posted above too. As a family they must have lived there from at least 1910-ish if not before. My grandmother’s name was Emily Thorpe (nee Green) and my grandfather’s name was William Frederick Thorpe, who worked at Spittlesfield Market. My mother’s siblings were Johnny, Freddy, Rosie, Daisy, Emily, Frankie and my mother’s name was Lily. Mum’s friend who lived in the buildings was Margie Vagus who married George. Mum’s family had a neighbour call Mrs Kidd. I would love to know more about the buildings and how people lived their life there.
Sorry, my comment above (June 15 2015) was regarding Great Eastern Buildings, Quaker Street. I realise I didn’t state this.
Hi Carol,
I remember the name of Bill Whatman – he also ran the kids footie team I think. I recall people talking about his sudden and unexpected death. Would love to speak with anyone who has memories of the buildings in this period as I am writing about them. I hope I can add my email: hrs177@aol.com
Hello Everybody. I lived in Great Eastern buildings during the 60s. Im writing a little autobiography now. Would love to hear from anyone with memories or recollections of that time. I can’t leave an email adress here (against the rules) but maybe you could link through facebook via my niece Katy Oakes (she is a fitness trainer and diet buff if there is more than one katy oakes).
Would so love to speak with people and swap memories – including dear old Harry Fisherman.
Steven
So lovely hearing all the memories of Uncle Harry and Marion. These photos are so great! Thank you
Hi Rebecca,
I am writing about Great Eastern Buildings. Everyone I speak to recalls Harry with a lot of respect and affection. He was genuinely appreciated by so many people for his generosity, friendliness and good nature. He was one of quaker street’s finest products!
thanks for this great pic of Harry.. I knew harry & marion really well thru out the 60s 70s & 80s…. a character who will always remain in my memories 8)
Tony/Rebecca, I am looking for street photos and/or memoirs of living in Quaker Street/Brick Lane in 1950?s-80?s.
Please contact me on phil.eldridge@btinternet.com
Thanks
Tony/Rebecca, I am looking for street photos and/or memoirs of living in Quaker Street/Brick Lane in 1950’s-80’s.
Please contact me on phil.eldridge@btinternet.com
Thanks
Phil fancy a chat I lived @ 47 Quaker st from 1956 till 1963 then moved to Code st round the back of Brick Lane no pic sorry but loads of storys
Jeff, Just seen your reply, I remember your dad didnt he also run a wedding car business, and live Wembly way, thanks Phil
Beautiful details about Harry Fisherman.
Me and my friend Terry Withers bought telescopes for 3d.
What a lovely memory.
Maybe Bennies in Deal Street also gets a mention.
I lived a few doors away in Brick Lane and used to got to Harry’s shop every day to buy sweets and comics. He was very kind to us.
My Grandparents apparently owned a Newsagency on Bricklane. I’m assuming it would’ve been around the 1950s to 1960s. John Wilkins and Barbara Ford. Perhaps someone would know them or remember their names.
My father ran a newsagent on the corner of Brick Lane / Princelet Street, in the early 1950’s, I believe it was call Statoga’s (Stationers, Tobacco, Games).
I have a photo of him standing outside the shop, was it the same shop that your grandparents owned ?
Andrea,
I remember a newsagents/confectioners at the top end of Brick Lane, close to the Bethnal Green road, which burned down somewhere in the mid 60s. I remember rummaging around the burned out ruins, with a couple of other kids, to see what we could find.
I don’t know if this was the shop of your grandparents, but I hope they were OK.
Phil – I have an identical photo of your ‘Newsagents, Quaker Street & Brick Lane junction 1985’ (must have been taken from exactly the same spot) the only difference is that mine is in colour and taken on 9 July 1985 when the sign above the door was advertising a garage business and not a ‘TO LET’ sign. Loved your book by the way.
My parents, Ernie & Renee Feasey, lived at 72 Great Eastern Buildings in Quaker Street from their marriage in 1947 until 1952, when they moved to live in Great Eastern Buildings at Luke Street, Shoreditch, with my Grand Parents Charlie ans Sarah Feasey. I and my sister were born while they Lived in Quaker St, my sister in Mile End Hospital (1948) and I in the London Hospital in late 1949.
I don’t have any memories of the time we lived there, but do of the Buildings in Luke Street, where we lived until 1963, when we moved to Bethnal Green.
It’s good to see memories revived in this way. My parents are listed on the electoral at Quaker Street until 1952, and afterwards at Luke Street.
@Ernie Feasey,
Hello Ernie. I am writing about the buildings – its people, life and times, during the 60s and 70s. Would be delighted to hear from you if you are in touch with anyone who has memories of that time, or to hear your own personal stories. I am Steven harris: hrs177@aol.com
Thanks
hi,i was born in great eastern builings quater street, i wonder if any one can help me my mother name was racheal levy she was in flat no 18 or joe edwards
hi i am looking for any one who have know joe edwards from gold street he was the local coalman on a horse and cart round about 1939 i think he also lived in greatern builds quaker street please if any on no s of him could you be so kind and let me no.
We lived in Great Eastern Buildings and lived next door to Bill Whatman, Carol can you remember the party we had as kids with a line across from each door and a draped blanket.
Reading your entry has brought back some really great memories.
l live in the great eastern buildings in the 60s I remember Steven Harris and harry fishermen he was a lovely bloke ..but if anyone know anything about tony Scott and how a can contact him. he was a great friend my email is [steveandrews1@mail.com]
I lived in Great Eastern Buildings from my birth in 1951 until 1966.
Carol, we were friends as small children but sadly fell out at secondary school age. I think it was my fault and I’m sorry. I remember your mum and dad very well. They were great and always very good to me. I can still picture all of you now.
Lovely to see all these familiar names. I was born in the buildings in 1958 , child number four in a family of six children. Steve, you and I were on the same stairs and played together in the early 60s, together with your cousins, Leslie, Kevin and their baby sister Jackie. And Richard Greenslade, what great friends we were as kids. I think we lived in Harry’s when we were very small- he would let us sit on the floor and read comics for hours on end.
Bill Whatman really was a local hero. He started a football team for all the kids and sadly, I remember the training session when he was so tragically taken ill. I have always thought of him as a life changer, somebody who did things just to help people.
Steven, I have just ordered your book and look forward to reading it.