Then and Now: Electric Avenue from Brixton Road
Comparisons of old and modern views of Brixton



1904 Built in 1888, Electric Avenue looks resplendent with its glazed canopies running along its elegantly curved street. It was the first shopping street to be lit by electricity, and was Brixton's focal point for many years. Every Christmas, it would be lavishly covered in spectacular Christmas decorations.
(pic: Brixton Society)



April 2003 The passage of time has seen the street become rather run down and unattractive. War damage destroyed several buildings and an ugly Iceland supermarket has now been bolted on to the end of the street. The striking canopies were stripped out in the early 1970s after years of neglect.



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