“History of Shops” is a new research project about the shops and businesses of Herne Hill, London SE24.

As the project builds during 2024 and beyond, in-depth descriptions of many local shops and their proprietors since the 19th century, with historic photographs and other images, will become available on this website. Customers will be able to scan a QR code at each participating shop, or browse this website, to find out about its history.

Copyright notice: if you wish to reuse or repost any of the texts or images on this website, please contact us first (see below).

Feedback is welcome through our Contact Us form.

220 Railton Road

This shop is currently home to Sharp Works. It was built by 1870 as part of Commercial Terrace – like the other eight houses in the terrace it was not used initially as a shop but solely as a residence. But by 1900 it had become a shop, the first shopkeeper being Alfred J. Furness,…