On February 14th 2014, Harbour Cycles opened at 200 Coldharbour Lane, the latest in a long line of businesses occupying these premises for just over 150 years.
In early 1860’s the railways arrived at what became known as Loughborough Junction. This led to substantial development of housing and businesses in what was only a few years before, mostly farmland as this extract from Edward Stanfords Map of London dated 1862 shows.
The first business we find at 200 Coldharbour Lane was J Martin, Fishmonger & Poulterer. At that time 200 Coldharbour Lane was known as No 1 Chandos Terrace. He opened his business in 1867. The following advertisment was published in the South London Press in the 19th September 1868 issue.
A gap of a few years until in 1872 and 1873 we have records of Frederick Heyn listed at 200 Coldharbour Lane, still referred to as 1 Chandos Terrace. This advertisment is from the South London Chronicle, dated December 7th, 1872
The next date we have confirmed from local directories is dated 1883 when a Mr R Stallard is listed at 200 Coldharbour Lane as a wine merchant. He was followed by George Albert May in 1887 through 1897 with a wine & spirit merchant business.
In 1891 Casper Coomer was running a Drapery business at 196 & 198 Coldharbour Lane . Mr Casper Coomer was in trouble with the law in this news report from The Standard 19th July 1894
In 1899 he expanded through to 200 Coldharbour Lane as well. He ran this business until 1940. The following photo was taken by GN Southerden in 1936 and is to be found in Camberwell & West Norwood Tramways by Robert J Harley published by Middleton Press.
From 1907, around the corner at 200a Coldharbour Lane (entrance in Flaxman Road) Mrs Louisa Coomer ran the relocated wine & spirit merchant business succeeded by Frederick Laing Collison from 1924-1926 and by Frederick Thurlow from 1927 to 1932. In 1936 the business was renamed Loughborough Wine & Spirits.
Headquarters and General Supplies was a mail order company selling military surplus and other items from Whitcomb St, off Leicester Square. They moved to 196-200 Coldharbour Lane in 1946 and slowly grew their business over the next twenty-two years. Here are a couple of advertisments from The Whitstable Times & Herne Bay Herald 14th October 1947 and the Brechin Advertiser 14th September 1948.
This photo dated 1951 taken by John H Meredith and featured in Camberwell & West Norwood Tramways.
In 1962 they ran an advertisment in the 17th November issue with an added West End Store in High Holborn.
By 1968, they were running 8 stores.
This advertisment was the latest I could find. They seem to have completely disappeared, out of business. If anyone has any further information about Headquarters & General I would love to hear from you.
After a few years standing empty 196-200 Coldharbour Lane was taken on by Ernie Noad as a shoe shop in 1974. Haven’t been able to track down a photo of Noads at Coldharbour Lane , so here is a shop fascia from his shop in Lambeth Walk from 1946 posted onto an ancestry forum by Chloe Deeth.
I understand that Noads had a few shops around London, one is mentioned located in Northcote Road, Clapham Junction. Noads closed in 1983, and the premises reverted back to individual stores. 200 Coldharbour Lane became home to 2nd Time Around, a second hand furniture shop.
In 2002 , 2nd Time Around was succeeded by The Trading Post which was run by a man known as Yellaman.
The next photo was taken by Google Streetview in June 2008 and the one after also taken from Google Streetview is dated May 2012.
This brings us up to date and Harbour Cycles run by Brenton. A community minded business, here is a poster from 2015.
The mural on side Flaxman Road wall.
