The original railway station terminus, in its day one of the largest in London, was left to crumble, as was the surrounding area, which by 2000 had become unloved and dirty. Only Ridley Road market and a few architectural reliefs, pub signs and faded advertising signs here and there show a hint of the area's once grand past.
The dilapidated properties and cheap rents soon get snapped up by the young and creative and in the last decade Daltson Junction has had a makeover. The extension of LRT's Overground Line means Dalston now has a big new station and, with its superb links to all London, this means more and more people are not only moving to the area, but are going there for its new one-off boutiques, bars and nightlife.
The latest addition is The Dalston Department Store, a pop-up shop open for this weekend in Richmond Road. Packed full of stuff to wear and those ubiquitous cup cakes, it's this isn't really what I'd call a department store – I mean, where are the kitchenwares, the suitcases, the books and the children's toys?
I bet nearby Dudley's sold a much better variety in their day. I recently saw an old picture of Dudley's and on it read, 'Z. Dudley Drapery House of Cheapness'! Does anyone know what is planned for this building? I understand that a plan to turn it into flats was on the cards...
Hi
ReplyDeleteIt's the Dalston Dept. Store here...
Just read your blog about Dudley's and linking us. We are a kind of abstract old style store featuring many of the traditional departments - Homewares, Lingerie, Stationery and Toys. But some far NO cupcakes.
Please come down and check us out, you might be surprised. mark
It is an informative post.
ReplyDeleteLove Dalston ,it's always been special you can feel the history and the old buildings ,❤️Hackney.
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