Prams
Lady pushing a pram. Whitechapel, 1983
This lady is pushing a pram that was a classic design for many years. These prams were so well made that they often finished their life transporting a variety of goods.
Vallance Road, 1986
Man pushing a pram on Vallance Road, 1986
Man with a pram on Toynbee Street c. 1989
Man with a pram on Toynbee Street c. 1989
Woman with a push chair off Bethnal Green Road, c. 1984
Boy pushing a cardboard box on a pram chassis, c.1985
Taj Stores On Brick Lane
Taj store, Brick Lane 1983
The original Taj stores was a small shop situated between Truman’s brewery and the bridge on Brick Lane. This photograph shows a selection of imported vegetables and a neatly organised range of canned food.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's
This section of Brick Lane was demolished in the 1980’s. Taj stores were one of just a few enterprises that remained in business right up to the time of the demolition. Taj stores attracted customers from all sections of the community and established a reputation for the reliable provision of food stuffs popular with the Bangladeshi community.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's
When the bulldozers arrived Taj stores moved to the other side of the road to their present location in the middle of Brick Lane.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's
According to the Taj stores website they are one of the oldest international grocers in the UK. The neatly organised window display hints at things to come.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's.
Outside the Taj Store, Brick Lane c. 1987
Outside the Taj Store, Brick Lane 2012
Making a delivery to the Taj Stores, Brick Lane 2002
Moving chairs
Man with chair, Brick Lane 1986
During the 1980’s you could find a wide range of furniture for sale in and around Brick Lane. The Sunday market could easily supply a house with all of its furniture needs. As the market closed it was even possible to find abandoned items that could be carried home and used. Much of the furniture you could find then would now be on sale at inflated prices in ‘retro’ shops.
Man moving a chair, Barcelona 2005
Where I live there is an unofficial but highly effective furniture recycling scheme in operation. If I want to get rid of a piece of furniture then I will just leave it on the landing outside my flat. After a few days it will disappear into a neighbours flat. I noticed recently that a cupboard I abandoned 10 years ago reappeared for a few days on the landing outside our flat.
Office chair on a mans head, Brick Lane 2008
If you move into an empty flat the three essentials you need are a bed, chairs and a cooker. Years ago it was possible to get all of these for very little or no money at all from the Sunday market in Spitalfields.
Man sitting on abandoned chair, off Brick Lane 1984
This man has found a comfortable abandoned chair from which to view the proceedings of the Sunday market. He is joined by a little girl holding an apple who has fixed her gaze in the same direction of the man. I recall they were watching two men arguing. The argument facilitated this photograph.
Woman seated at her market stall, Whitechapel c. 1985
Man with suitcase rests on steps, Brick Lane c. 1983
Man seated on a box, Whitechapel c. 1984
The Betting Shop
Two men outside a betting shop, Whitechapel 1986
I’ve never placed a bet in a betting shop. My only reason for being in one has been to photograph the customers. I’ve always been amazed at the way punters appear to be in a daze – oblivious to the world around them. Here the man wearing a hat stares into the distance but I feel that his mind is somewhere else. Has he lost all his money or is he contemplating a final bet?
Two men outside a betting shop, Whitechapel 1986
Its time for a cigarette and a discussion about the horse that should have won.
Woman at the entrance of a betting shop in Newham, 1988
The illustrations of footballers and race horses frame this lady as she emerges from the dark interior of the betting shop.
Outside a betting shop. Whitechapel 2009
Betting shop, Whitechapel c. 1987
Betting shop, Whitechapel c.1987
Placing a Bet
Lady with walking stick on Bethnal Green Road, 1990
I was entranced by this lady as soon as I saw her walking along Bethnal Green Road. I would imagine that she has probably spent most of her life living in the area and walked down this particular road thousands of times.
Lady in a betting shop on Bethnal Green Road, 1990
When I first saw her I thought she was going to buy something from a market stall. Seconds after I took the shot of her on Bethnal Green Road she disappeared into a betting shop. With little hesitation I followed her inside and photographed her walking to the counter to place her bet. She was probably in the shop for a minute. Clearly she new exactly what she was betting on and did not want to waste any time inside. Once she was back on Bethnal Green Road she did indeed buy some vegetables from a market stall. I remember thinking at the time that I shouldn’t make assumptions about people after seeing them for a few seconds.
Two ladies shopping on Bethnal Green Road, late 1980's
It was a pleasant surprise when my newly found subject diverted to place her bet. I wonder how many times the two ladies above have placed a bet in Bethnal Green Road?
Man in a betting shop, Whitechapel c. 1984
Betting shop, Whitechapel c. 1986
