2013 Surgery extension (of 99)
History:
- CHEESEMONGER Thomas Abbott 1871
- PROVISION DEALER William Noble 1872
- HAM & BEEF DEALER Alf Tindley 1875
- ” James Shaw 1880-95
- ” Edward Elliott 1900
White Knight Laundry, 1972
- FRUITERERS Stefano & Co. 1905
- HARDWARE DEALER George Andrews 1910
- DRESSMAKER Miss Anna Fanini 1915
- PRIVATE HOUSE (?) Rev. Frank Hodgson 1925
- LAUNDRY Felix Laundry 1930-55
- “ Hogarth Laundry 1960-65
- ” White Knight Laundry 1970-80
Victorian London was grimy and smoggy. Primrose Hill was a particularly smutty area because of smoke and coal-dust from the nearby steam engines. Clothes and sheets got very dirty, washing them by hand was hard work, and coal to boil the water was expensive.
In the 19th century (and long after in many households) Monday was traditionally wash-day. Labour was cheap and even not-very-wealthy families might employ a washerwoman for the day. Because so many people lived in rented rooms they had no easy access to hot water, and there was great demand for washing and cleaning services.
The 1956 Clean Air Act banned the burning of coal, so London started to become cleaner and to have fewer of its notorious fogs. It was when the lines from Euston were finally fully electrified in 1965 that local gentrification really accelerated.
- PHARMACY Primrose Pharmacy 1985-96
- SURGERY (extension of no.99) 1996-present