Stoke Newington Church Street has a rich commercial history, shaped by the many businesses that have occupied its shops since the mid-19th century. My study of the street’s occupants began as an effort to satisfy my own curiosity and answer questions from new business owners eager to learn the history of their premises.

This research evolved into six interconnected projects:

1. Stoke Newington Church Street Property Survey (1847-Present)
2. The History of Every Shop in Stoke Newington Church Street: The Book
3. Windows Into the Past: The Shop Histories of Stoke Newington Church Street on Display
4. Annual Church Street Shopfronts Photo Survey
5. Exploring Independents vs. Chains on Stoke Newington Church Street: An In-Depth Analysis
6. Shop Time Machine: A Visual Journey Through a Shop’s Past Using Historical Research and AI

Together, these initiatives aim to document, share, and celebrate the fascinating stories of Stoke Newington Church Street’s ever-changing landscape.

1. Stoke Newington Church Street Property Survey (1847-Present)

A comprehensive study tracking the history of every shop on the street since 1847, documenting the various businesses that have occupied each property over time.

2. The History of Every Shop in Stoke Newington Church Street: The Book

A timeline-based book presenting the history of each shop in a clear and engaging format, making the street’s commercial history accessible offline.

3. Windows Into the Past: The Shop Histories of Stoke Newington Church Street on Display

A public project featuring paper plaques displayed in shop windows along the street, showcasing the businesses that have operated there over the years.

4. Annual Church Street Shopfronts Photo Survey

An annual photo documentation of the shopfronts of active businesses on Church Street, capturing the street’s evolving commercial landscape year by year.

5. Exploring Independents vs. Chains on Stoke Newington Church Street: An In-Depth Analysis

As part of my ongoing exploration of local businesses on Stoke Newington Church Street, I conducted an analysis of the number of outlets operated by each business, aiming to understand the split between independents and chains in the street. The key finding is that only 10% of businesses on Church Street are chains.

6. Shop Time Machine: A Visual Journey Through a Shop’s Past Using Historical Research and AI

This project aims to bring a shop’s commercial history to life by going beyond a simple list of names and dates. Based on my ongoing research into the commercial evolution of each shop on Stoke Newington Church Street since the mid-19th century, and powered by AI, it imagines what the shopfronts of past businesses at a given location might have looked like. As there are only a few archival photographs of Church Street’s shops, and no example of a complete visual timeline of a single premises, I consider this approach to be the next best thing.