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Then and Now: Atlantic Road by Vining Street
Photographic comparisons of old and modern views of Lambeth
(Modern photo © urban75, July 2009)
1905 A horse-drawn bus trots up Atlantic Road, Brixton towards Herne Hill.
To the left you can see the well furnished premises of L. Heinzelmann, Clockmaker at number 60, Atlantic Road. A large clock extending out over the street shows the time to be 11.15pm in the morning, with the wooden painted board above the proprietor's name saying, 'Clock House.'
Four oversized gas lamps bear legends like 'watch' and 'clock,' while a large pair of glasses by the entrance suggests that Mr Heinzelmann will be the man to go to for alterations to your spectacles.
Next door is a shaving saloon - cigarettes also available - while a large awning protruding out from the butcher shop shades Edwardian lady shoppers from the morning sun.
A three wheeled delivery bike waits outside the butchers, and on the corner can be seen the David Greig's Brixton shop, first opened in 1888, with the Atlantic public house facing the junction of Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane.
(pic: Lambeth Archives)
July 2009 This strip of Atlantic Road has seen hugely changing fortunes. By the late 1980s, many of the shops were closed with the area renowned for drug dealing.
Investment in the mid 1990s saw new shops opening, and although the turnover of shops remains high, there's now a good mix of local, independent shops, restaurants and cafes keeping the road busy.
The Atlantic pub closed briefly in the mid 90s before reopening as The Dogstar bar, and it continues to be a popular Brixton watering hole.
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Atlantic/Vining St
