Event    From 1898  To 1960

Columbia Market

In 1852, the area Novia Scotia Gardens being a notorious slum, Angela Burdett-Coutts bought it with the intention of developing healthy accommodation for the poor and a market for their use. However the refuse collector using part of the site had a lease until 1859.  Only then could Coutts could carry out her plan.

She had Columbia Market built as a covered food market with 400 stalls. But for various reasons it was not a success, and after being used as warehouse and workshops the market closed in 1886. Immediately east of the market Coutts also built the residential Columbia Dwellings, completed 1859-62, which had its own swimming pool and baths and a laundry, all designed by Henry Darbishire. The name 'Columbia' was chosen in recognition of the bishopric of British Columbia, founded by Burdett-Coutts in 1857.

Drawings and photos show some impressive buildings, but despite their quality they were condemned in 1958 and demolished in 1960. The modernist tower block Sivill House and other low-rise housing replaced the Coutts buildings. The new streets having names such as Old Market Square and Georgina Gardens.

Both this 1916 map and this 1895 map show the location very well. Using current street names: the development filled the site south of Baroness Road and north of Columbia Road. The market was between the eastern edge of the nursery school and the shortest N-S stump of Baroness Road. The residential blocks filled the space east of this stump of Baroness Road across to the N-S footpath in Ravenscroft Park.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Columbia Market

Commemorated ati

Columbia Market air raid shelter memorial

In memory of those who lost their lives when a bomb penetrated the Columbia M...

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Other Subjects

Samuel Whitbread

Samuel Whitbread

Brewer and member of parliament. Born at Cardington, near Bedford. He set up a small brewery in London in 1742. He amassed a large fortune and invested heavily in property. M.P.for Bedford in 1768....

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
First sale of Coca-Cola in Britain

First sale of Coca-Cola in Britain

Image from the magnificent Advertising Archives.  This is the earliest UK ad that we could find there: 1910s.

Event, Food & Drink

1 memorial
The George Pub, Fleet Street

The George Pub, Fleet Street

Founded in 1723 as a coffee house, became Georges Hotel in 1830 and then a public house as it is today. Current building is late Victorian.

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
White Hart Inn

White Hart Inn

Established in the medieval period and referenced by Shakespeare in 'Henry VI' and by Dickens in 'Pickwick Papers'.  Not to be confused with the nearby White Hart at 22 Great Suffolk Street.

Building, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Literature

1 memorial
Julian Metcalfe

Julian Metcalfe

Co-founder of Pret a Manger with Sinclair Beecham, who he met at the Polytechnic of Central London.  Also founded the itsu chain of Asian-inspired restaurants.

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial