Leon's was literally a corner shop selling newspapers, sweets and groceries on the edge of Quaker Street and Grey Eagle Street, just off East London's Brick Lane. I took this photograph of Leon's long shuttered-up shopfront in 1988. At the time, it was one of many closed-down businesses that I was recording in the area - before the so-called 'regeneration'.
Just today, I spoke with someone who had very fond memories of the shop, and its owner. With a tear in his eye, he reminisced about a time when Leon had actually given his father shelter in a room at the back of the shop when he was in troubled times.
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| 47 Quaker Street, twenty five years ago |
The 'Crisis at Christmas' campaign had begun in 1971, with a small team of volunteers providing food and shelter for homeless people at the first 'Open Christmas'. Forty two years on, there will be ten 'Crisis' centres around England and Scotland, staffed by volunteers and employees, welcoming homeless people in from the cold for warmth, support and comfort.
Happy Holidays
I lived above the shop from the day I was born even remember the pub opposite the old grey eagle 1957 loved Leon a great man
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, much appreciated.
Deletecab you tell me more
ReplyDeleteLeon was my grandfather and this is so wonderful to read
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul for your message. I know that there must be many people who have very fond memories of your grandfather's shop - even after so many years. Kind regards, Alan
DeleteMy family rented the above we lived there in the 1971. I remember the owner in his long white coat. My father's name Mr Tagu miah.
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