Petticoat Lane, Tower Hamlets High Street Heritage Action Zone

This High Street Heritage Action Zone aims to improve historic buildings to support the revitalisation of one of London's oldest street markets.

Wentworth Street in Tower Hamlets is better known as 'Petticoat Lane' from its association with the rag trade and long standing street market. Today, the independent family run retail of colourful fabrics and the predominantly Bengali communities give the Wentworth Street Conservation Area (currently on the Heritage at Risk Register) a strong vibrant character.

Many buildings are vacant and a number have also deteriorated due to lack of maintenance. Poor quality shop fronts, and doors and windows at street level are having a detrimental impact here.

How the Petticoat Lane High Street Heritage Action Zone will help

There is potential to boost this area which has retained much of its historic quality and charm. This underused and neglected high street could better serve residents as well as workers and visitors from Aldgate, Spitalfields and the City.

The High Street Heritage Action Zone will: Restore shop fronts and facades; Explore how upper floors buildings can be reused; Provide maintenance training for building owners; Restore the Victorian public toilets at Leyden Street.

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Working in partnership with

  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets

High Streets

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