The Lost Industry of Southwark Project

1. Detail of 1894 map of Bermondsey

2. Detail of the Shaft to Thames Tunnel, Rotherhithe.

Southwark was once a major centre of Industry hosting large scale industries such as:

shipbuilding, rope-making, engineering, carriage, haulage, shipping, victualling, food-processing industries.

It had Europe’s largest leather industry, the largest hatters and largest brewer in the world.

It was the home to many household brand names such as:

Jacobs Cream Crackers, Cross and Blackwell, Hartley's Jam, Courage Beer, Sarsens Vinegar, Pearce Duff, Spiller's dog biscuits and Peak Frean Biscuits.

They are now virtually all gone - but the Lost Industries can still be found, in the street names, the preserved warehouses, the very geography of the streets and in the memories of the workers.

Links to other pages:

Reminiscences of BermondseyMore Project Details Explore the Industries! Links & Resources Information Sheets Guided Walks Self-Guided Walks