East Street is situated in the London Borough of Southwark, nestled between Walworth Road to the west and the Old Kent Road to the east. This vibrant market runs along East Street from the junction with Walworth Road to Dawes Street. Along the way, you'll pass by the East Street Baptist Church and a multitude of shops. The primary entrance to the market is from Walworth Road. Conveniently, a bus stop on Walworth Road serves the market, with buses arriving from Elephant and Castle or Camberwell Green. These buses include numbers 12, 35, 40, 45, 68, 148, 171, 176, and 468.
The history of East Street is deeply rooted in the region's past. Street trading in the Walworth area has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when farmers rested their livestock on Walworth Common before continuing their journey to the city. While stalls lined the entire length of Walworth Road during the industrial revolution, the official market on East Street was established in 1880.
In the 17th century, the area where East Street now stands was rural fields and common land where people grazed their animals. To the north was "Lock's Field," described as a "dreary swamp" in 1878. Conditions improved, and by 1881, it was a site for gypsies to stay during the winter months. South of East Street was Walworth Common, a popular stopover for farmers from Kent and Surrey before their journey to the city. People would purchase produce directly from these drovers, eventually leading to the establishment of the market.
Most of the land in the area was owned by the Church, with some eventually being sold or leased. By the 1770s, the land near the junction with Old Kent Road was a flower nursery, established by the Driver family, responsible for the grand buildings at nearby Surrey Square. In 1780, a legal document described the sale of the land, creating East Street as a public highway connecting Walworth Road with the Kent Road.
With London's rapid expansion in the 19th century, open fields were developed. In the 1860s, Walworth Common was developed, and the old markets were moved to Walworth Road. Vegetable sellers, known as Costermongers, were joined by various other traders. In 1875, the electric tram ran down Walworth Road, leading to the market's relocation into the side streets of Westmoreland Road, East Lane, and Draper Street. The construction of the Aylesbury Estate further impacted Westmoreland Road. In 1927, the licensing system was introduced, bringing an end to the practice of traders rushing to claim the best pitches in the morning.
East Street survived and evolved through the challenges of the Second World War and changing demographics. Today, it offers a diverse range of goods, including traditional fruit and vegetables, Caribbean food, ethnic clothing, CDs, and household items. The Walworth Society has even organized an animated East Street tour to share its rich history. Interestingly, East Street is believed to be the birthplace of Charlie Chaplin, and it may have inspired his 1917 short film, "Easy Street." Additionally, the iconic attire of Chaplin's tramp character may have been influenced by the clothing worn in East Lane market. East Street is also featured in the title sequence of the television program "Only Fools and Horses."
East Street holds a unique political position as it forms the boundary between two parliamentary constituencies. The northern side of the street falls within the Bermondsey and Old Southwark constituency, previously known as North Southwark and Bermondsey. It was represented by Simon Hughes of the Liberal Democrats for 32 years and since 2015 by Neil Coyle of the Labour Party. The southern side of East Street is represented by Harriet Harman, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Camberwell and Peckham.
East Street also serves as the dividing line between the wards of East Walworth on the north side and Faraday on the south side, both within the London Borough of Southwark. The street is represented in Southwark Council by six councillors, all from the Labour Party. The East Walworth councillors include Helen Morrissey, Martin Seaton, and Darren Merrill, while Faraday ward is represented by Dan Garfield, Lorraine Lauder, and Abdul Mohammed. East Street falls under the jurisdiction of Walworth Community Council.
East Street today reflects the ethnically diverse and youthful population of Southwark. The market vendors and shoppers mirror this diversity, with Southwark having the highest proportion of residents in the UK born in Africa (13%). The area also boasts a significant population from Latin America, with 75% of reception-age (4–5 years old) children belonging to black and minority ethnic groups. In fact, more than 120 languages are spoken in Southwark, with 11% of households lacking an English-as-a-first-language member.
Despite its rich history, some vendors have expressed concerns about the implications of the redevelopment of the surrounding area for the market. In 2015, the market was subject to several immigration raids, reflecting the complex challenges facing East Street today.