Petticoat Lane Area Improvements
Project Background
Petticoat Lane is the name of the famous East End market, running along mainly Middlesex Street and Wentworth Street. The street offers fashion, bric-a-brac, luggage, souvenirs, hairdressers, cafés and hot food. Many businesses are independent family-run; the street is free of chain stores. Shops and markets serve mostly local residents, budget-conscious customer base or niche business, as well as office workers from nearby areas. The pandemic has hit local businesses and market stall holders hard and has exacerbated further decline in the street as business income is reduced and some businesses are forced to close.
Petticoat Lane is a designated conservation area, which is in a poor condition and is registered on Historic England's list of 'Heritage at Risk' due to loss of historic details, inappropriate change and lack of maintenance. Developmental pressure from neighbouring areas such as Bishopsgate, Spitalfields and Aldgate and from within the conservation area threaten the special historic character of the conservation area and put it at risk of losing its designation. Paradoxically, it is this lack of investment in the conservation area has meant that Wentworth Street has retained much of its historic quality and charm of mainly 19th century low rise, narrow frontage, fine grain buildings and the market stalls, creating a continuous, harmonious and charming townscape.
Current regeneration plans will use the built historic environment on Wentworth Street and neighbouring streets to act as a catalyst to support local businesses by developing its distinctive identity and the social vitality of the street. Funding for the programme comes from LBTH through section 106 obligations as part of the 'Middlesex Street Regeneration Programme' and from Historic England through the national 'High Street Heritage Action Zone' funding scheme. The programme has as its goal making the high street a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place for people to live, work and spend time.
Projects
- Leyden Street Toilets - Refurbishment and conversion of the Leyden Street toilets to re-provide a ground level public accessible toilet as well as a new commercial space for a food & beverage operator.
- Petticoat Lane Heritage Trail - A project to showcase the history of the Petticoat Lane Market and the surrounding area through a series of characters and stories from the past. The project is community-led involving local researchers, photographers and oral historians, with the support of the London Historic Buildings Trust and other local stakeholders. At the end of the trail there will be a 10-stop heritage trail in the form of plaques in the area with a accompanying website - Petticoat Lane Heritage Trail
- Public Realm Improvements - Redesigning and creating new public space within the Petticoat Lane Market area. Creating green spaces and places for seating to enjoy on market days as well as lighting, wayfinding and pavement upgrades.
If you would like more information about any of these projects, please contact the project lead, Anna Zucchelli at anna.zucchelli@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 0207 345 6854 to arrange a callback.
All updates provided below.
Latest update - 24 October 2024 (Petticoat Lane Heritage Trail)
The second steering group meeting was held on 23 October at Artizan Library. We discussed the potential themes for the heritage trail. Have your say on the themes here - Petticoat Lane Heritage Trail: Consultation
1. Housing and housing reform: 'slums', model housing, reformers eg Henrietta Barnet, and charitable patrons eg Charlotte Rothschild.
2. Washhouses, communal washing, toilets, baths, swimming pools, washing clothes as well as bodies, ritual (secular and religious), drying/tenter grounds.
3. Food: diverse food cultures and practices, novelty and quality of food, restaurants, slaughter-house, individuals eg Marks of the Lane, Polly Nathan, Tubby Isaacs.
4. Fashion and clothes: trend-setting role of the market, garment trade, shops selling up to the minute fashion and shoes at a fraction of west end prices, factories/ 'sweat shops', piece work taken in the home, so extra source of income.
5. Migration and diverse communities: range of incoming communities eg French Huguenot, Irish, Jewish, Russian, German, Danish, Bengali, African-American GIs in WW2, where did different communities meet? places of worships, clubs, schools, restaurants etc, arrivals and finding one's way, Ayub Ali Master
6. Education and learning: diverse local schools eg Jews' Free School, Ragged School, Board school, Lutheran school, libraries, bookshops, evening classes, war-time evacuation and emigration, life journeys of individuals, strong oral testimony.
7. A child's view/experience - looking a child's daily experiences of the market, school, play, toys and sports, work, illness and mortality, vaccination: careers and routes out of the area. To be written to appeal to today's children.
8. Performance and theatre: from 16th century, home to formal theatre as well as informal performance, entertainment in pubs, clubs and in the market, language of trading in the market, characters such as Mike Stern and Prince Monolulu.
9. Global trade and commodities: warehouses, importing, industries eg sugar refining and smoking of salmon, tea, all from the Port of London, wealth of business owners contrasted with poverty of many residents
10. Trail-blazers: the people who made a difference of who were pioneers, campaigning for others' welfare, representing their communities, championing and protecting the Market, Mike Stern, Henriette Barnett, Phyllis Wheatley, Manny Shinwell etc.
Update - 17 October 2024 (Leyden Street toilets)
Vegetation will be cleared from the site today. A deep clean will occur 23-25 October 2024.
A contractor to complete the capital works to the toilets will be appointed soon. Expected start on site will be early 2024, with completion in summer 2024.
Update - 27th August 2024
Leyden Street toilets
Tower Hamlets council have tendered for a new contractor to complete the refurbishment and conversion works of the Leyden Street toilets. The council is currently evaluting the tender responses and will appoint a contractor soon. The works are expected to recommence on site in the autumn and last for approximately eight months.
The council recently received complaints about the vacant site. A deep clean of the site has been requested.
Petticoat Lane Heritage Trail
Phase 2 of the Petticoat Lane Heritage Trail project began this summer. The project scoope is shown below. The project will last for one year and is part funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Tower Hamlets Council.
Update - 5th October 2023 (Leyden Street toilets)
Some great progress has now been made on site by our landscape contractor Rineys who have now started laying the new York Stone paving along Leyden Street. With new linear ACO-drainage across the kerbs which will managed and reduce any pooling of water that has been an issue here in the past.
In the upcoming weeks we will be installing 5 new trees along the street.
Rineys have now been appointed and carrying out deep excavating works to the basement roof of the Leyden Street toilets, to carefully install new waterproofing that will protect the asset and reduce any potential water ingress in the future. These works are estimated to be completed by end of August with the next stage to lay out new paving, drainage and new trees installed.
Unfortunately due to delays with the main contractor for Leyden Street, the public realm works were postponed to June. We are now pleased to inform you that these works will now be beginning from the 6th June - 12th August 2023. This will include the digging up of the existing carriageway to lay down new waterproofing material for the basement roof of the toilets, installing new paving across the footway and carriageway that will now make it a pedestrianised zone only, installing new Silver Birch trees, seating and planters for public use.
Once these works are complete, the remaining works will then be carried out to complete the final elements of the basement and then installing a new above ground structure to serve as a cafe space and provide public accessible toilets also.
Due to issues unbeknown to the Council, there were areas of water ingress coming into the Leyden Street Toilets. So construction works were halted in early March 2023 to address this issue and identify the source. Works were carried out by Aspect and have been a success. This will now be monitored over the next few weeks to ensure this has been a successful permanent solution.
Additionally, the above ground work to the carriageway and footway will now be starting on the 24th April 2023. These works are anticipated to take between 5-6 weeks.
Following a review of the Capital Delivery Programme across the Council; it has been decided that the Shopfront Improvement Scheme will no longer be progressing.
We are pleased to announce and share the completed mural from Jacob v Joyce at Pomell Way. Jacob V Joyce's piece, titled ‘Nourishing Disruptions’ design aims to provide “a moment of serenity that disrupts the endless construction and labour demanded by an ever-changing cityscape”. The design incorporates the buddleia plant, which grow on many rooftops across East London. Joyce said the plant “represents a defiant nature, an ability to put down roots in hostile environments and humble beauty that can sometimes go unnoticed.” One voter noted that they felt Joyce’s concept “represents the local area, champions youth and creativity and points positively to the future”.
If you have an opportunity, please take time to visit the site and see the mural in all its beauty.
The High Streets team are pleased to announce that we have received full planning permission for all 16 businesses that are part of the Shopfront Improvement Scheme. That list includes:
| 28 Wentworth St | 26 Wentworth St | 24 Wentworth St | 24a Wentworth St | 22 Wentworth St | 20 Wentworth St | 18 Wentworth St | 16 Wentworth St |
| 12 Wentworth St | 10 Wentworth St | 8 Wentworth St | 6 Wentworth St | 72 Middlesex St | 19 Wentworth St | 27/27a Wentworth St | 29 Wentworth St |
We are now in the process of selecting a contractor to carry out the works to these properties. Announcement will be in October 2022.
Update - 8th August 2022 (Petticoat Lane Art Trail)
Following the survey carried out back in May, we are pleased to announce that the artist that was voted by the public the most is Jacob v Joyce. They will be now carrying out consultation with members of the local community helped by the Whitechapel Gallery.
Work will aim to begin at the end of September 2022. Watch this space!
Update - 24th May 2022 (Petticoat Lane Art Trail)
Pomell Way Art Mural
This survey has now finished and the results are being considered by a final community panel.
As part of the Petticoat Lane Art Trail Programme, we are introducing a vibrant Art Trail to the area which, along with other art initiatives, will see a new mural be placed on Pomell Way.
Through a set of community consultations, we have shortlisted three local artists that have submitted designs based on the area's rich history.
0Pomell Way Gable Wall (Left Red Area)Update - 5th May 2022 (Leyden Street Toilets)
Leyden Street Toilets - Construction Started
The High Streets are excited to announce that construction has now started on Leyden Street for the refurbishment of the Leyden Street Toilets.
Topcoat Construction Limited were appointed back in April 2022 and are now undertaking the first stages of construction.
As part of the construction brief, key features such as the original railings, terrazzo flooring, oriinal bollards manufactured by Wells & Co (a local ironmongers company) and the internal original tiling will be retained. As well as utilising the groundfloor window lights as natural light for the basement use.
Work is expected to be completed by December 2022.
Males Sections-
Background
The Council have partnered up with the Whitechapel Gallery, London Met University and City of London to invite local artists to produce concepts for the blank wall space located on Pomell Way off Old Castle Street.
This piece will form part of a wider scale art trail that invites local artists to produce large scale art work using local themes and history of the area with the aim to help educate visitors about the deep local history of the Petticoat Lane area drive footfall back to the market and high street.
Through a selection process led by the Whitechapel Gallery; the selected Artists: Jacob V Joyce, Shannon Bono & Sola Olulode; have created three unique pieces for the wall that we are asking members of the public to select their preferred choice.
Closing date for voting is the 15th June 2022 and the most voted for artist will be announced on the 17th June 2022.
Pick Your Favourite
We'd love to get your opinion on which mural you'd like to see be placed on Pomell Way. Before continuing with this survey, please view the designs and read the descriptions below, this will help inform your answers.
You may refer to the designs by the number placed in the bottom left-hand corner.
1. “Nourishing Disruptions”
"One of the central narratives of this design is the idea that art can provide a moment of serenity that disrupts the endless construction and labour demanded by an ever-changing cityscape. The design incorporates sites of historic community action in the area, such as the Jagonari Women’s Centre, The Shaheed Minar Monument Replica in Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel Gallery itself and the Bell Foundry which local protests recently saved from developers. The Ideas Store designed by David Adjaye is also one of the buildings which tower up on either side of this composition. The muted green pastel tones of this condensed landscape are interrupted by Buddleia plants that flow from the artworks of children. The Buddleia are painted in the style of William Morris, an artist who championed the notion that art should empower us all and that making art is the embodiment of dreams.Buddleia is a plant which grows on many rooftops in Whitechapel, to me it represents a defiant nature, an ability to put down roots in hostile environments and humble beauty that can sometimes go unnoticed. Earlier in 2022 I had the privilege of working with local anti- homelessness action groups in Whitechapel and with Canon Barnett Primary school located just beside the proposed wall. This mural feels like a serendipitous opportunity to celebrate the resilience and optimism I witnessed in those communities. At the end of the workshops with anti-homelessness action groups we gave attendees seed bombs containing buddleia and other wildflowers to hide in cracks around the city, who knew they might bloom in such a powerful way".
Artist bio
Jacob V Joyce is an artist, researcher and educator from South London. Their work is community focussed ranging from mural painting, illustration, workshops, poetry and punk music with their band Screaming Toenail. Joyce has illustrated international human rights campaigns for Amnesty International and Global justice Now, had their comics published in national newspapers and self-published number of DIY zines. Their work with OPAL (Out Proud African LGBTI) has gone viral across the African Continent and increased the visibility of activists fighting the legacies of colonially instated homophobic legislation.
Joyce was recently awarded a Support Structures Fellowship from the Serpentine Gallery and a Westminster PhD research scholarship at C.R.E.A.M, (Centre for Research and Education in Art Media.) Previous recognitions include a collaborative residency at Serpentine Galleries Education Department with Rudy Loewe 2020, TFL (Transport For London) Public Arts Grant 2019, Artist Participation Residency at Gasworks London/East Yard Trinidad Tobago 2019, Tate Galleries Education Department Residency 2019, Nottingham Contemporary Community Artist Residency 2017.
Joyce is a non-binary artist amplifying historical and nourishing new queer and anti-colonial narratives.
2. “This Colour Will Look Beautiful On You”
"My design for the mural on Old Castle street was inspired by the interiors of African Print fabric shops in the local area and many of the women that run them. With the theme of Bob and Roberta Smith’s ART MAKES PEOPLE POWERFUL I wanted to create something that would make the aunties of the local area feel celebrated. My painting is of an auntie holding up a piece of cloth for the viewer as showing it to someone to choose from inside one of these shops. She is surrounded by the warm rich colours of piles of fabrics and hanging lace. Lots of blues to represent love and togetherness and greens to represent growth. She holds out a golden yellow cloth, a powerful colour signifying importance and value, it’s often used to represent wealth and beauty. Fashion has the power to make people really great about themselves. The aunties that work in these shops help people find the patterns and colours that unlock their self-confidence, the women listen to their customers' desires and pull out the most gorgeous patterns and colours to dazzle all. These shops play a huge role in connecting those of the African diaspora with their culture through textiles by ensuring they are stocked with the latest trends and classic fabrics for special occasions and everyday life. I hope the colours will brighten up the street and make people feel warm and happy as they walk. I hope the women who work in those fabric shops feel seen, represented and valued as the mural is dedicated to their contribution to fashion and community".
Artist Bio
Sola Olulode’s paintings are nuanced and tender visions of intimacy and community; her wistful images celebrations of Black identity, womxnhood and non-binary people. Distinguished by their use of gestural brushwork, indigo dye, wax, oil bar, impasto and monochromatic schemes (typically in blue, green or yellow) they speak strongly of her Nigerian heritage. Allowing the body to take centre stage, she creates utopian scenes which give prominence to movement, gesture, and romanticised acts. Reflecting her own community and experiences, her works expose a unique tenderness and a fluid ability of bringing to life representation and visibility of Black Queer lived experiences.
3. “Art Makes People Powerful”
“For this mural, I am proposing to create a design influenced by the textile culture of this community. Within my practice I consider the foundations of my paintings as starting points to share a story with the viewer, the patterns from these African fabrics consciously intertwine and feed through the dominant scenes in the foreground, purposing them with a symbolic role within the work. Focusing on the popularised Dutch wax fabrics sold on Wentworth street, I wish to bring forward the functionality of these brightly coloured, highly patterned fabrics to celebrate and uplift the community. I have incorporated the history of Tenter grounds by including images of the hooks used to stretch cloth in the final design. The silhouetted hands represent the hands of the wax sellers as well as paying homage to the hierarchical cultural status of spiritual power and societal respect women are held to in African communities.”
Artist bio
Shannon’s paintings embody an afrofemcentrist consciousness, sharing muted narratives and projecting the black women’s lived experiences. She is invested in producing layered, figurative, compositions embedded with symbols and scientific metaphors that centralise black womanhood as a source of knowledge and understanding. Enamoured by African spirituality, Christian iconography and renaissance art she employs its purpose of cultural impact, liturgy, and instruction for an improved society within her works. She views the body as a powerful signifier that provokes dialogue, playing with pose, gesture, and the gaze to challenge reality. Shannon explores the internal body as well as the external, by merging the design of notable fabrics from Africa with biological structures and chemical processes in living organisms for the backgrounds of her works and using the anatomy as a second canvas in the foreground.
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