South Street, Romford: How has it changed over the years?

South Street is the first sight that welcomes you into the town whether from the bus or train station.

Today it is occupied by businesses ranging from international supermarkets and charity shops, to a gastropub and fast food eateries.

South Streettoday is a mix of greenery, with a diverse range of businesses(Image: Olivia Carter)

Pictures from different time periods through the years have captured the changing face of South Street.

A photograph taken in 1913 revealed some of the occupants at the time included picture frame makers H.W. Hole, tailor shop H.F. Blackwell and a grocery store, World’s Stores.

South Street appeared a lot quieter than it is today in this picture, with three horse drawn carriages on the road and a number of bicycles in use.

South Street in 1913, looking towards the railway bridge(Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies)

Signage reading “tobaccos” and “cycles” are also visible as well as a view of the railway bridge in the background.

A photograph from the 1920s has been retained in the archives of Havering Libraries, this time capturing South Street from a different angle.

This photo was taken looking towards the Golden Lion pub.

A 1920s view of South Street looking towards the town(Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies)

The shopfront of a hatters and hosier store can be seen jutting out along the street.

According to Havering Libraries, this was operated by Samuel Clift Barnard between 1912 and 1926.

In the 1920s, other occupants of South Street included W. Muskett Wholesale Confectioner and Baker, the Romford Gas and Coke Company, and R.E. Smith stationers.

Bikes, a bus and a carriage made up traffic along the road in the 1920s(Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies)

National Provincial Bank Ltd opened in South Street at some point between 1933 and 1936.

It was photographed as under construction in 1933 next to the old court house and police station which, at that time, had been used as offices for Romford Urban District Council.

National Provincial Bank Ltd’s branch under construction(Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies)

An archived image from South Street taken in 1972 shows foot traffic levels that are closer to those seen today.

Behind the crowds and beyond the immediate parade of shops, the premises of the Golden Lion and Lloyds Bank in Market Place can be made out.

South Street looking busy in 1972(Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies)

Other shops at this time included TV and radio seller Stanwood Radio, men’s clothing store Dunn and Co., Jax of Oxford Street women’s clothing store, and Slendos.

In 1988, South Street was pictured again looking towards the railway bridge – and this time in colour.

To the right of the image and on the second floor of a white commercial building, the signage for the Romford Observer could be seen above clothing store Posh.

South Street seen in 1988 with a Recorder newspaper hut on the pavement(Image: Havering Libraries – Local Studies / A.J. Holdbrook)

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A TSB bank is also visible, with the old Odeon cinema towards the background just two years before it closed down.

A Romford Recorder paper hut is positioned on the pavement, with a Wimpy chain nearby.

Across the street, Ratner’s jewellers premises is visible, along with signage for Our Price Records.