of London’s imported food provisions was stored in this riverside area, which was a maze of narrow streets packed with rows of workers’ houses alongside larger and grander houses for merchants and dock officials. The docks continued to be successful through the 20th century and had a period of intense use during the Second World War. From the 1960s, however, the Pool of London (which extended from London Bridge to Cherry Garden Pier, including the Shad Thames area) lost its competiveness. With containerisation, goods were transported in vast boxes from ships to trucks, and the 19th century docks could not cope with the large vessels. In addition, the closed-in and narrow streets could not handle the increased road transport needed. By 1972 the area was in decline and the wharf and warehouse complexes were closed. Some buildings were let out for individual storage and light industrial use, and a diverse community of artists also took up spaces on short-term leases. By the late 1970s there was increasing interest in regenerating the area and Sir Terence Conran became involved. In 1981 the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was formed and undertook site clearance and archaeological work in partnership with Southwark Council and private developers. Conran and Partners acted as master planners of the Butler’s Wharf estate (a significant portion of the area) between 1985 and 1997. Courage’s Anchor Brewery The other significant business in the district was Courage’s Anchor Brewery. It was the original brewery of the firm in London and was founded here in 1787, with the site only being sold in 1982. 1894 Opening of Bridge The foundation stone was laid in 1881 and construction started in 1886. The original architect was Sir Horace Jones, although he died before construction began. It was opened with great ceremony by the Prince of Wales in 1894. River Stairs The area has had sets of river stairs: Horselydown Old Stairs, George Stairs and Horselydown New Stairs. These were used by Thames watermen, who carried passengers in their skiffs. Horselydown Old Stairs can still be reached from Shad Thames, just east of Tower Bridge. There are steps and then a hard causeway to reach the water at low tide. Horselydown New Stairs mark the place of an extensive drainage system going back to Tudor days. Its successor was the London County Council’s storm water pumping station on Maguire Street (built 1906-8) which is now the Shad Thames Pumping Station run by Thames Water.
of London’s imported food provisions was stored in this riverside area, which was a maze of narrow streets packed with rows of workers’ houses alongside larger and grander houses for merchants and dock officials. The docks continued to be successful through the 20th century and had a period of intense use during the Second World War. From the 1960s, however, the Pool of London (which extended from London Bridge to Cherry Garden Pier, including the Shad Thames area) lost its competiveness. With containerisation, goods were transported in vast boxes from ships to trucks, and the 19th century docks could not cope with the large vessels. In addition, the closed-in and narrow streets could not handle the increased road transport needed. By 1972 the area was in decline and the wharf and warehouse complexes were closed. Some buildings were let out for individual storage and light industrial use, and a diverse community of artists also took up spaces on short-term leases. By the late 1970s there was increasing interest in regenerating the area and Sir Terence Conran became involved. In 1981 the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was formed and undertook site clearance and archaeological work in partnership with Southwark Council and private developers. Conran and Partners acted as master planners of the Butler’s Wharf estate (a significant portion of the area) between 1985 and 1997. Courage’s Anchor Brewery The other significant business in the district was Courage’s Anchor Brewery. It was the original brewery of the firm in London and was founded here in 1787, with the site only being sold in 1982. 1894 Opening of Bridge The foundation stone was laid in 1881 and construction started in 1886. The original architect was Sir Horace Jones, although he died before construction began. It was opened with great ceremony by the Prince of Wales in 1894. River Stairs The area has had sets of river stairs: Horselydown Old Stairs, George Stairs and Horselydown New Stairs. These were used by Thames watermen, who carried passengers in their skiffs. Horselydown Old Stairs can still be reached from Shad Thames, just east of Tower Bridge. There are steps and then a hard causeway to reach the water at low tide. Horselydown New Stairs mark the place of an extensive drainage system going back to Tudor days. Its successor was the London County Council’s storm water pumping station on Maguire Street (built 1906-8) which is now the Shad Thames Pumping Station run by Thames Water.
ShadThamesTrail..docx