The East India Company's principle warehouse was Cutler Street in the City of London. Early in the 19th cent. nineteenth century, Commercial Road was constructed partially funded by the Company to transport goods from the East India Dock to the City of London. In 1838, after it's monopoly ran out, the East India Dock Company ran into financial difficulties and decided to merge with the West India Dock Company to form the East and West India Dock Company. The building was latterly assumed into the Port of London Authority ( PLA ) and was used by wholesale oriental carpet merchants in a free port status with it's own custom house entrance. After some decline it was closed and converted to offices in 1973 but remains, in a somewhat sanitised form, to this day.
Cutler Street PLA building and customs house early 20th cent.
Museum In Docklands/PLA Collection
© Museum of London - PLA collection
Cutler Street PLA building interior (probably an upper story) early 20th cent.
Museum In Docklands/PLA Collection
© Museum of London - PLA collection
enews@museumoflondon.org.uk
We are grateful to Joe Hajioff and Jack Haldane for assisting preparation of the following information:
◦ The oriental rug trade in London from the end of the war till ca. 1970 (click to view)
Shops, Wholesalers and Manufacturers
Part I Pre 1914
Part II 1918-1939
Part III Up to 1973
GB Dealer History