East Street Market facts for kids
Entrance to the market
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| Location | Walworth, Southwark, Greater London |
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| Coordinates | 51°29′22″N 0°05′20″W / 51.48944°N 0.08889°W |
| Address | East Street |
| Management | Southwark London Borough Council |
| Owner | Southwark London Borough Council |
| Environment | Outdoor |
| Goods sold | General goods |
| Days normally open | Tuesday–Sunday |
| Number of tenants | 252 |
East Street Market, also called 'The Lane' by locals, is a lively street market in South London's Walworth area. It's a busy place where you can find all sorts of interesting things. This market has been a part of Walworth for a very long time, with a history stretching back centuries.
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Where is East Street Market?
East Street is in Southwark, a part of London. It sits between Walworth Road on one side and the Old Kent Road on the other.
The market stretches along East Street, from Walworth Road down to Dawes Street. You'll find the East Street Baptist Church and many shops along the way. The main way into the market is from Walworth Road. Buses from Elephant and Castle or Camberwell Green stop nearby, making it easy to visit.
A Look Back: Market History
People have been trading on the streets of Walworth since the 1500s. Back then, farmers would rest their animals on Walworth Common before going into the city. The market officially started in 1880.
In the 1600s, the area where East Street is now was mostly open fields. It was common land where people could graze their animals. By the 1700s, some land was used for growing flowers. A legal paper from 1780 shows how East Street became a public road.
As London grew in the 1800s, buildings replaced open fields. In the 1860s, Walworth Common was developed. The old markets moved to Walworth Road. More traders joined the vegetable sellers.
In 1875, electric trams started running on Walworth Road. This meant the market had to move. After talks with traders, the market split up. Parts moved to Westmoreland Road, East Lane, and Draper Street. Over time, some of these areas were built over.
How the Market Changed
The early market was different from today. Traders didn't have special spots for their stalls. At 8 AM, a policeman would blow a whistle. Traders would then rush to claim the best places! Shop owners often claimed the spots right outside their shops. This changed in 1927 when a licensing system began. This meant traders had to get permission for their stalls.
During the Second World War, many local men went to fight. The market became quieter. However, it survived and changed over time. As more people from different backgrounds moved to the area, the market changed too. Now, you can find traditional fruits and vegetables. You can also find Caribbean food, different types of clothing, and household goods.
Charlie Chaplin's Connection
East Street is thought to be the birthplace of the famous actor Charlie Chaplin. He was a silent film star. While there's no birth certificate, it's a popular belief. The market might have even inspired his 1917 film Easy Street. Some people think the famous trousers and boots of his "Tramp" character were inspired by clothes he saw at East Lane market.
The market also appears in the opening of the TV show Only Fools and Horses.
What Can You Buy?
East Street Market sells many different things. You can find inexpensive new and second-hand clothing, jewellery, and cosmetics. There are also household products, sweets, fruit and vegetables. You might also find CDs and DVDs, shoes, bags, hats, books, and cards.
The fresh food section is very diverse. You can find everything from cassava to courgettes. There are also unique items like durian fruit, eel, sheep heads, and cow hooves!
When to Visit
The market is open every day except Monday.
- Tuesday to Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM to 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM to 2 PM (but often stays open later)
Saturday is the busiest day. On Saturdays, there are over 250 stalls! This includes a weekly plant market. On Sundays, a small flea market operates. It's near Nursery Row Park, closer to the Old Kent Road side of East Street.
Local Government and East Street
East Street is interesting because it forms a boundary. It's between two areas that each have their own Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected to represent people in the UK Parliament.
- The north side of the street is in the Bermondsey and Old Southwark area. This area is currently represented by Neil Coyle.
- The south side of East Street is in the Camberwell and Peckham area. This area is represented by Harriet Harman.
East Street also divides two local council areas: East Walworth (north side) and Faraday (south side). This means six local councillors represent East Street in the Southwark Council. All of them are from the Labour Party.
East Street Market Today
Southwark has a very diverse population. Many people from different countries live there. The market traders and shoppers show this diversity. Southwark has many residents who were born in Africa. There are also many people from Latin America. Over 120 languages are spoken in Southwark! This mix of cultures makes East Street Market a vibrant and exciting place to visit.
Images for kids
- East Street market
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