# East Street Market > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/East_Street_Market > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/East_Street_Market.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Street_Market > Source revision: 1338051248 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Market in Walworth, South London "East Street" redirects here. For other uses, see [East Street (disambiguation)](/source/East_Street_(disambiguation)). For the market on East Street in Barking, see [Barking Market](/source/Barking_Market). This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article is written like a travel guide. Please help rewrite it in a neutral, encyclopedic style or move its content to Wikivoyage. (January 2020) This article needs more citations. 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Find sources: "East Street Market" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) East Street Market Entrance to the market Location Walworth, Southwark, Greater London Coordinates 51°29′22″N 0°05′20″W / 51.48944°N 0.08889°W / 51.48944; -0.08889 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 Interactive map of East Street Market **East Street Market** also known locally as 'East Street', 'The Lane', or 'East Lane', is a [street market](/source/Street_market) in [Walworth](/source/Walworth%2C_London) in [South East London](/source/South_London). ## Location East Street is in the [London Borough of Southwark](/source/London_Borough_of_Southwark), between [Walworth Road](/source/Walworth_Road) on the western side and the [Old Kent Road](/source/Old_Kent_Road) on the Eastern side. The market runs down East Street from the junction with Walworth Road to Dawes Street, passing [East Street Baptist Church](https://www.eaststreetonline.org.uk/) and a many shops. The main entrance to the market is from Walworth Road. A bus stop on Walworth road serves the market, with buses arriving from [Elephant and Castle](/source/Elephant_and_Castle) or [Camberwell Green](/source/Camberwell_Green). These include bus numbers 12, 35, 40, 45, 68, 148, 171, 176 and 468. ## History There has been street trading in the Walworth area since the 16th Century, when farmers rested their livestock on [Walworth Common](/source/Walworth_Common) before continuing to the city. During the [Industrial Revolution](/source/Industrial_Revolution), stalls lined the whole of the Walworth Road, but the market has only been officially running since 1880.[1] In the 17th century, the area through which East Street now runs was rural fields and ‘common’ land where people could graze their animals. The area to the north was known as ‘Lock's Field’ and, in 1878, was described as little more than ‘a dreary swamp’. Conditions improved and by 1881 it was recorded as a site for gypsies to stay during the winter months. To the south was Walworth Common; a popular point for the farmers of Kent and Surrey to stop overnight before making their journey into the city. People would buy produce directly from these drovers and eventually a market was established. East Street market history Most of the land in the area was owned by the Church, but some was eventually sold or leased. By the 1770s, some land near the junction with Old Kent Road (known then simply as The Kent Road) was cultivated as a flower nursery by the Driver family, who were also responsible for commissioning the grand buildings at nearby [Surrey Square](/source/Surrey_Square). A legal document from 1780 describes the sale of the land which led to the creation of East Street as a public highway, connecting Walworth Road with the Kent Road. By the 1800s London was expanding rapidly. Open fields were built upon and in the 1860s, Walworth Common was developed. The old markets were moved onto the Walworth Road and the vegetable sellers (Costermongers) were joined by an array of other traders. In 1875, the electric tram ran down Walworth Road bringing to an end the market. After negotiations with the traders, the market was split up and moved into the side streets of Westmoreland Road, East Lane and Draper Street. Draper Street was built over in the 1960s by the Elephant and Castle development. The construction of the [Aylesbury Estate](/source/Aylesbury_Estate) led to the decline of the Westmoreland Road market. Charlie Chaplin blue plaque at the entrance to East Street market Unlike today's regulated market, the original traders did not have allocated plots for their stalls. At 8am, a policeman blew a whistle and traders would rush to claim the best pitches, with shop owners on the Lane claiming the patches outside their front doors. This ended in 1927 when the licensing system was introduced. Many local men were called up in the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) and the market declined.[2] In 1948 it was described as "a drab, dead thing, infinitely remote from the cockney tradition". However, the market survived and evolved. As the population of the area has diversified so have the goods on offer and, along with the traditional fruit and vegetables, the market now sells a mix of Caribbean food, ethnic clothing, CDs and household goods.[3] Recently, the Walworth Society has run East Street tours to share the history of the market.[4] East Street was the likely birthplace of [Charlie Chaplin](/source/Charlie_Chaplin), although no birth certificate exists. It could have been the inspiration for his similarly named 1917 seminal short film *[Easy Street](/source/Easy_Street_(1917_film))*, a suggestion made as early as 1928 in the film *The Life Story of Charlie Chaplin* by [Harry B. Parkinson](/source/H._B._Parkinson)[5] and reasserted in David Robinson's introduction to the most recent edition of *[My Autobiography](/source/My_Autobiography_(Chaplin))*, while the famous trousers and boots of Chaplin's trademark tramp costume may have been inspired by the every-day clothes Chaplin saw worn in what he called East Lane market. It also features in the title sequence to the television programme *[Only Fools and Horses](/source/Only_Fools_and_Horses)*. ## Produce The market sells inexpensive new and second-hand [clothing](/source/Clothing), [jewellery](/source/Jewellery), [cosmetics](/source/Cosmetics), household products, [confectionery](/source/Confectionery), [fruit](/source/Fruit) and [vegetables](/source/Vegetable), [CDs](/source/CD) and [DVDs](/source/DVD), shoes, bags and hats, books, cards, meat and fish. The eclectic mix of fresh food ranges from cassava to courgettes, durian fruit to eel, sheep heads to cow hooves. ## Opening times The market is open every day except Monday: Tuesday to Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 8am–6:30pm, Sunday 8am–2pm (though often is open until late afternoon). Saturday is the busiest day as the market consists of over 250 stalls[6] including the weekly plant market. A small flea market operates on Sundays near [Nursery Row Park](/source/Nursery_Row_Park) towards the Old Kent Road side of East Street. ## Politics Since the [2024 general election](/source/2024_United_Kingdom_general_election), East street has been within [Peckham](/source/Peckham_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) parliamentary constituency represented by [Miatta Fahnbulleh](/source/Miatta_Fahnbulleh_(politician)).[7] East Street forms the boundary line between the wards of East Walworth on the north side and Faraday on the south side, both in the [London Borough of Southwark](/source/London_Borough_of_Southwark). East Street is therefore represented in Southwark Council by six councillors, all Labour. The East Walworth councillors are Helen Morrissey, Martin Seaton and Darren Merrill. Faraday ward is represented by Dan Garfield, Lorraine Lauder and Abdul Mohammed. East Street is under the jurisdiction of Walworth Community Council. ## East Street market today East Street market 2016 Southwark has an ethnically diverse and youthful population – and the East Street market venders and shoppers reflect this diversity. Southwark has the highest proportion of residents in the UK who were born in Africa (13%), as well as a significant population from Latin America, with 75% of reception-age (4–5 years old) children from black and minority ethnic groups. Over 120 languages are spoken in Southwark, with 11% of households having no member of the household who has English as a first language.[8] Some vendors have expressed concern about the implications of the redevelopment of the surrounding area for the market.[9] In 2015, it was the subject of several immigration raids.[10] ## Gallery - East Street market ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Southwark Council. ["East Street Market"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100206131548/http://www.southwark.gov.uk/businesscentre/streettrading/eaststreet.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.southwark.gov.uk/businesscentre/streettrading/eaststreet.html) on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Hush! You Must Not Hear Bertie"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131479710). *[The World's News](/source/The_World's_News)*. New South Wales, Australia. 17 August 1932. p. 4. Retrieved 7 January 2019 – via National Library of Australia., *...Bertie, a parrot, is a riot in East Street market, off Walworth Road. London...* 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Walworth Society (wording taken directly from East Street leaflet)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170117064451/http://walworthsociety.co.uk/index.php/news/112-east-street-history-project). Archived from [the original](http://walworthsociety.co.uk/index.php/news/112-east-street-history-project) on 17 January 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Bringing Walworth's East Street Market to life with echoes of the past"](https://pastinthepresent.net/2016/07/28/bringing-walworths-east-street-market-to-life-with-echoes-of-the-past/). By markgee98. 28 July 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Charlie Chaplin"](https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/charlie-chaplin-842389-details.aspx). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [http://www.nmtf.co.uk/markets.php?id_mar=396](http://www.nmtf.co.uk/markets.php?id_mar=396) [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["MPs representing Peckham"](https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/4236/overview). *parliament.uk*. July 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Southwark Council"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160923014017/http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/10058/about_southwark_council). Archived from [the original](http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/10058/about_southwark_council) on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Evening Standard"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160923014017/http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/10058/about_southwark_council). Archived from [the original](http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/10058/about_southwark_council) on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Burr, Amelia (25 June 2015). ["Riot Police Called After Immigration Van Pelted with Eggs in Walworth"](https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/riot-police-called-after-immigration-van-pelted-with-eggs-in-walworth/). *[Southwark News](/source/Southwark_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170117110620/https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/riot-police-called-after-immigration-van-pelted-with-eggs-in-walworth/) from the original on 17 January 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017. v t e London Borough of Southwark Districts Bankside Bermondsey Borough/Southwark Camberwell Crystal Palace Denmark Hill Dulwich Dulwich Village East Dulwich Elephant and Castle Herne Hill Honor Oak Newington Nunhead Peckham Peckham Rye Rotherhithe South Bank South Bermondsey Surrey Quays Sydenham Hill Upper Norwood Walworth West Dulwich Attractions Bankside Gallery Blue Elephant Theatre Borough Road Gallery Bridge Theatre Brunel Museum Camberwell Public Baths Champion Hill City Hall The Clink Cuming Museum Dulwich Outdoor Gallery Dulwich Picture Gallery Dulwich Public Baths Fashion and Textile Museum Globe Theatre Golden Hinde (1973) Greenwood Community Theatre Hay's Galleria Herne Hill Velodrome House of Dreams HMS Belfast Imperial War Museum Jerwood Space Kirkaldy Testing Museum The London Bridge Experience London Dungeon London Fire Brigade Museum Mandela Way T-34 Tank Menier Chocolate Factory Michael Faraday Memorial More London Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret The Old Vic Oxo Tower Peckham Platform Pumphouse Educational Museum Rose Theatre Sam Wanamaker Playhouse The Scoop Shakespeare's Globe The Shard The View from The Shard South Bank South London Gallery Southwark Cathedral Southwark Playhouse Surrey Docks Farm Tate Modern Theatre Peckham Unicorn Theatre Union Theatre Winchester Palace Markets and shopping Borough East Street Surrey Quays Shopping Centre Bridges and tunnels Blackfriars Bridge Blackfriars Railway Bridge Cannon Street Railway Bridge London Bridge Millennium Bridge Rotherhithe Tunnel Southwark Bridge Tower Bridge Waterloo Bridge Parks and open spaces Belair Park Bellenden Road Nature Garden Bermondsey Spa Gardens Burgess Park Camberwell Green Centre for Wildlife Gardening Dulwich Park Dulwich Upper Wood Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park Lavender Pond Newington Gardens One Tree Hill, Honor Oak Peckham Rye Potters Fields Park Russia Dock Woodland Stave Hill Southwark Park Sydenham Hill Wood Tabard Gardens Constituencies Bermondsey and Old Southwark Dulwich and West Norwood Lewisham West and East Dulwich Peckham Vauxhall and Camberwell Green Tube and rail stations Bermondsey Borough Canada Water Denmark Hill Elephant and Castle Kennington London Bridge Nunhead Peckham Rye Queens Road Peckham Rotherhithe South Bermondsey Southwark Surrey Quays Sydenham Hill West Dulwich Other topics Council Grade I and II* listed buildings People Public art Schools Category v t e Markets in London Historic Old Billingsgate Covent Garden Cumberland Market Farringdon Fleet Hungerford Market Leadenhall Metropolitan Cattle Smithfield Old Spitalfields Stratford Noted Bermondsey Borough Brick Lane Camden Lock Camden Passage Columbia Road Greenwich Petticoat Lane Portobello Road Historic charter Barking Barnet Croydon (Surrey Street) Romford Uxbridge Local Backyard Berwick Street The Blue Broadway Brixton Chalton Street Chapel Chrisp Street Deptford Earlham Street East Street Edmonton Green Exmouth Goodge Place Inverness Street Leather Lane Lower Marsh Merton Abbey Mills Plender Street Queen's Queen's Crescent Rathbone Ridley Road Seven Sisters Market Shepherd's Bush Strutton Ground Sunday UpMarket Swiss Cottage Walthamstow Watney Modern wholesale Billingsgate Fish New Covent Garden New Spitalfields Smithfield Western International --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [East Street Market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Street_Market) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Street_Market?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.