IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Gaumont Place, LONDON, SW2 4FZ

On a prominent position opposite the start of Leigham Court Road. The roofline helps with its semi-hexagonal corner bay topped by a dome with a spire, "ironically not dissimilar to a First World War German soldier's helmet." Ironic because this polite group of shops with flats above was built on the site of Arborfield, a large house destroyed during a Zeppelin raid on 24th September 1916. It is within the Streatham High Road and Streatham Hill Conservation Area. The course of Streatham High Road has been a major highway between London and Sussex since Roman times. Its current appearance is largely attributable to two major spells of development. The first was during the late C19th following the opening of Streatham Hill station in 1856, and the second was after 1911 when the line to Victoria was electrified. Though much-maligned and undoubtedly blighted by heavy traffic, closer examination reveals that the road is lined with a number of interesting buildings, some of which reflect the period between the wars when Streatham was a fashionable centre of entertainment. Information from Lambeth Council (http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/exeres/CE4B5CE1-0387-40ED-B5A9-273A5160C34A.htm ).

Boarded up, now demolished and the site redeveloped, along with the nearer building. The high building was at least in part built as the Gaumont Palace cinema, later a bowling alley, with an impressive frontage on Streatham Hill (which survives). The nearer low building is the back of what was built as the Locarno dance hall, later night clubs or similar under various names.

This little row of Victorian lock-up shops are round the corner from Streatham Hill station. Three have their original slate roofs (just), and some decorative details have survived too. It is within the Streatham High Road and Streatham Hill Conservation Area. Information from Lambeth Council (http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/exeres/CE4B5CE1-0387-40ED-B5A9-273A5160C34A.htm ).

During works to renew Streatham Hill station, the roof and rear wall on the northern (Down) platform were removed, revealing the backs of buildings on Sternhold Avenue high above. The multi-coloured building is I think a nightclub – presumably, from the six-colour rainbow, a gay-friendly one. In this view from within a train carriage we can see the staircase from the entrance ending awkwardly where the platform roof no longer meets the staircase covering.

During works to renew Streatham Hill station, the roof and rear wall on the northern (Down) platform were removed, revealing the backs of buildings on Sternhold Avenue high above. The multi-coloured building is I think a nightclub – presumably, from the six-colour rainbow, a gay-friendly one.

During works to renew Streatham Hill station, the roof and rear wall on the northern (Down) platform were removed, revealing the backs of buildings on Sternhold Avenue high above. The multi-coloured building is I think a nightclub – presumably, from the six-colour rainbow, a gay-friendly one. Taken from within a train on the down, southbound platform.

It is clearly a good few years since these insurance consultants, next to Streatham Hill station, were giving out advice. By 2016 the sad remains had been demolished.

The symmetrical block which includes shops and flats was designed by Trehearne and Norman Preston and Co in a neo-Georgian style. The Locarno ballroom opened in 1929. In later incarnations it was the "Cat's Whiskers", "The Ritz" and "The Studio". It is now "Caesar's", and the dancing therein would probably make the founders of the Locarno blush. It is within the Streatham High Road and Streatham Hill Conservation Area. The course of Streatham High Road has been a major highway between London and Sussex since Roman times. Its current appearance is largely attributable to two major spells of development. The first was during the late C19th following the opening of Streatham Hill station in 1856, and the second was after 1911 when the line to Victoria was electrified. Though much-maligned and undoubtedly blighted by heavy traffic, closer examination reveals that the road is lined with a number of interesting buildings, some of which reflect the period between the wars when Streatham was a fashionable centre of entertainment. Information from Lambeth Council (http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/exeres/CE4B5CE1-0387-40ED-B5A9-273A5160C34A.htm ).