William Davies, Fancy and General Draper, Electric Avenue
The changing face of Brixton, 1897 - 2008
(Feature: © urban75, 17th Feb 2008)


Advert, 1897

Advertisement in a Christmas Brixton Theatre programme for William Davies, Fancy and General Draper, at 5, 7 and 9 Electric Avenue.

Offering Gloves, Hosiery, Lace, Millinery and Underclothing plus Special Goods for Evening Wear, the drapers store was just two minutes from the Theatre (where the Ritzy cafe now is).


Feb, 2008

Once an upmarket shopping destination, lined with attractive wrought iron canopies and high class stores, Electric Avenue has fallen from grace over the last century and now offers a rather more modest shopping experience.

Although the original building at Number 3 survives (now called 'Pound Shop Plus,' with a little store in the front offering the ubiquitous mobile phone cards), bumbers 5, 7 and 9 were destroyed during the war.

Rebuilt in a style that bears no relation to the attractive sweep of buildings along Electric Avenue, the premises now host Brixton Foods, selling meat and fruit and veg.


1956 view showing hoardings coverimg up the destroyed buildings.

See: Electric Avenue, 1956.



ELECTRIC AVENUE: The and Now views:
» Electric Avenue, East
» Electric Avenue, West
» Electric Avenue
» Electric Avenue by Atlantic Road
» Electricc Avenue by Brixton Rd
» Electric Avenue and Electric Lane
» Electric Avenue market
» Electric Avenue, Christmas scenes
» Electric Avenue, Christmas scenes 2
» Electric Lane
» Electric Lane/Rushcroft Road
» Market Row



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