please empty your brain below
The 'Mathodist Church' over the post office you refer to is, in fact, the Whitechapel Mission - much, much more than a church, still catering for the homeless after nearly 150 years. I've done some Christmas breakfast volunteer turns there, and the whole place needs more recognition for the amazing work it does.

Steve | 22.01.24 - 7:43 a.m. | #

I worked in this area for several years. When I popped to Tesco, I'd see the Bell Foundry workers put chairs out onto Fieldgate Street to eat their lunch.

On the Tesco subject, it's possible that the Tesco Express on Whitechapel Road opposite Altab Ali Park and the Tesco (formerly a Metro but I think now an Express) on Fieldgate Street behind the Bell Foundry and the Mosque are the two closest Tescos in London.

Charlie | 22.01.24 - 8:14 a.m. | #

As someone to whom "Whitechapel" automatically means the bell foundry, I'm in two minds about the failure of the hotel scheme. There doesn't seem to have been any real progress with the rescue bid, and there is a risk that the building will just continue to stand empty and neglected.

Andrew S | 22.01.24 - 10:14 a.m. | #

When I was briefly a patient in the new Royal London Hospital a sister told me it was twice the size of the old one, but with the same number of nursing staff as before. She had to accompany me to X-ray and back herself.

Bruce Perkins | 22.01.24 - 10:57 a.m. | #

Another really interesting article. You really must have been up at the crack of dawn on Sunday to get these pics. Whitechapel is invariably traffic-filled and pretty unpleasant to traverse.

Had an intense Whitechapel week in 2018 when my son was in hospital. Catering in the hospital was almost non-existent at that time so was most grateful for the row of shops on Court St near the station at that time.

Simeon Bennett | 22.01.24 - 11:29 a.m. | #

One less notable building you missed is the refurbished "Buck & Hickman" tool factory, now rebranded "The Hickman", overlooking Whitechapel Road and Altab Ali Park. Unremarkable glass outside. Public access during regular office hours to a ground floor cafe and a small display of historical artefacts.

Just happens to be the office I work in (building is occupied by several businesses), in the office today so that's a nice bit of synchronicity.

Oh and here is some architect bolx, although the refurbed building is actually quite nice with good facilities, including an internal courtyard for the summer months

MilesT | 22.01.24 - 12:09 p.m. | #

I’m puzzled why David Adjaye placed the escalator on the outside of the Idea Store and made the floor access so basic internally. Only ever seen escalator used when building being shown off.

The buildings behind scaffolding are having their frontages further renovated after the High Street 2012 project. They are all owned by TfL. Some are empty as rents asked were too high.

Booth House was recently sold for £32 million. Currently it only has permission for hostel use. The council would require a planning application for a change. New student accommodation is “resisted” under the proposed Local Plan. Where the council would seek 50% affordable housing if student accommodation was to be allowed. It was occupied by property guardians prior to sale. It’s odd that the private UK buyer paid £7 million over asking price.

Also under the proposed Local Plan, new hotel accommodation is resisted too. As council feel that we have enough and need more housing. So makes any boutique hotel for Bell Foundry even less likely. It would need to be a special case. I understand the Bell Foundry is available for lease, but not sale. Which is the possible sticking point with the proposal for relaunching the foundry.

The proposed Local Plan will effectively come into force later this year. There will be a further consultation before then.

Martin | 22.01.24 - 7:20 p.m. | #

The sorting office was properly called the Eastern District Office. My grandfather worked there for forty-odd years, starting as a messenger, and ending up as Head Sorter, retiring in 1934.

He told me the story of how the eastern districts got their numbers -there were so many mistakes in WW1 with temporary staff that he and the other foremen numbered up the slots from 1 to 18 so the temps did not get their Walthamstows mixed up with their Woodfords!

I still have his retirement long case clock, but unfortunately its clicker broke, and I can’t find anyone who will repair it.

Crispy | 22.01.24 - 9:27 p.m. | #

The koi in the Blind Beggar beer garden got taken out before the pandemic

lumma | Homepage | 23.01.24 - 5:59 p.m. | #

What was so impractical about the escalator at the 'Idea Store'?

matthieu1221 | 23.01.24 - 8:24 p.m. | #











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