History And Heritage

This bustling east end market was originally a Victorian street market. The centre was originally designed by Frederick Gibberd as part of the 'living architecture' element of the 1951 Festival of Britain and was the first pedestrianised shopping centre of its kind. This redevelopment, after the Second World War, provided a central square that became not only the first pedestrian shopping centre in Britain but also a landmark in new urban design.

The whole area still has many of these prominent architect features to show for it, such as the iconic Clock Tower shown below and the traditional 1950 style housing lining Market Way. Today the market sells anything and everything from plants and fruit to clothes, bed linen and kids' toys. Whatever the weather, the friendly cafes in the square offer traditional fare including great East End, Chinese and Indian food. So come and sample what's on offer while soaking up the atmosphere of the centre.

Chrisp Street has so much to offer and a great deal to be proud of - a vibrant, diverse centre, with a strong sense of identity and heritage as a market and a retail area. The centre is located in the heart of Tower Hamlets and its catchment area represents an enormous potential customer base.