5 Things You Didn't Know About Tottenham Court Road W1

Tottenham Court Road W1 is one of London's most famous addresses and, as I'll be showing you in this video, it's a place that's packed with all manner of dark history- including tales of highwaymen, bodysnatchers, war, murder and more...
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:55 Body Snatchers & Highwaymen
06:54 The Great Beer Flood
08:53 The Fairyland Arcade
13:04 Tottenham Court Road's Tube Stations
18:31 Tottenham Court Road at War: Bunkers & V2s
21:49 Outro
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Thank you so much to all of you who support my channel with your kind words, likes and shares.
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I have an online store too- robsonlinedesigns- where you can purchase an array of London themed mugs, featuring hand illustrated designs of taxis, tube trains, buses and so on:
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Links for this video:
The Rising Sun Pub, Tottenham Court Road
www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/gre...
Thanks so much for watching! Stay well, and please be sure to stay tuned!
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Credits
Footage & Images:
Tottenham Court Road Electronics Shops: Danny Robinson, Creative Commons (via Geographs)
Capper’s Farm image: heals.com
Flood footage: Sanjeewa Wijebandara (pexels)
Beer footage: Cottonbro Studio
Tottenham Court Road Paolozzi Escalator mosaic: Mike Quinn, Creative Commons
***
Music:
Whole Tone Limbo (Godmode)
The Colonel (Zachariah Hickman)
Greaser (TrackTribe)
A Mission - Scoring Action by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Dragon and Toast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Ether Oar (The Whole Other)
Basant (Aditya Verma)
Dreamlike by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Floating Home (Brian Bolger)
Sneaking Up by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
Classic Horror - Madness Paranoia by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Tribal War Council (Doug Maxwell/Media Right Productions)
Moonlight Haze (Bird Creek)
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[@paulbagley1020]

Rob the Researcher has done it again. It's amazing how such a short street can offer so much history. The flood of beer you mentioned was somewhat overshadowed in the early 20th Century by the great molasses flood in Boston when 2.3 million US gallons [8,700 cubic meters] of molasses broke free from a tank holding it. 21 people were killed, and scores of others injured. To this day, on a hot summer afternoon, there are parts of the streets in that area that still give off a sticky sweet/sour smell. And, I solved the maze in roughly 15 seconds ... hardly the average wait for a train in the tube. Thanks again for a wonderful presentation.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Paul thank you… the molasses flood sounds absolutely horrifying. I didn’t know about that. Thanks for sharing and stay well.

[@idanceforpennies281]

Ironically I watched a video on the molasses flood only a few weeks ago. Horrifying. It sticks to you and you can't escape.

[@AngeloBetrulas]

Just saw on the the Historic England website about "The Great Beer Flood" that, "One person died the following day from alcohol poisoning. " Oof, what a way to go! Great film! @@Robslondon

[@iaindcosta]

A beer flood is an "act of God"? Which god- Bacchus?

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha!! @@iaindcosta

[@thetragicyouth]

Absolutely fascinating, Rob - your meticulous research is jaw-droppingly impressive! I believe that the notorious male brothel which featured in Oscar Wilde's trial was located off Tottenham Court Road somewhere close to Goodge Street. On a personal note, Tottenham Court Road was where I first encountered Mexican fast food in the late 1970s - it seemed incredibly exotic (not to mention deliciously spicy) to this teenager who had grown up equating fast food with Wimpy Bars! Can't believe that the Dianetics/Scientology office is still there, that made me chuckle! Really fantastic work, Rob, thanks.

[@Robslondon]

What a great comment, thank you! I didn’t realise that Oscar Wilde connection was around here, very interesting. And I fancy a Wimpy now that you’ve mentioned it! 😂

[@SheeplessNW6]

I remember eating at the Taco Bell in Tottenham Court Road in about 1980. Sadly, the experience turned me off Mexican food for years...

[@Robslondon]

@@SheeplessNW6 You’re kidding-there was a Taco Bell there in the early 80s?! I had no idea! Incredible 😄

[@SheeplessNW6]

@@Robslondon it's strange: I have a distinct memory of eating there when I was at UCL, between '79 and '83, but wikipedia seems to disagree with me, saying the first one in the UK was on Coventry Street in '86. Maybe they had a short-lived trial in TCR earlier?

[@thetragicyouth]

@@SheeplessNW6 The one I'm thinking of was an independent, definitely not a Taco Bell (or any other chain).

[@-DC-]

The Horseshoe Brewery also got a Tax Rebate on the unsold Beer 🤣 Truth is often Stranger than Fiction Wonderful Channel Rob.

[@Robslondon]

😂😂🍺 Thank you!

[@kellydalstok8900]

Those mosaics at the tube station are simply stunning. How anyone got it into their head to remove them I’ll never understand.

[@Robslondon]

I know it’s crazy isn’t it. There even more stunning up close; you can see how intricate they are, so much work involved in creating them. Stay well Kelly 😊

[@markshrimpton3138]

My ears pricked up, to use a euphemism, when I heard Torial Joss’s name mentioned. He was born in Aberdour, Aberdeenshire in 1731 and is distantly related to my wife who shares the same surname. I used to travel each day from Hampstead to Goodge Street in my London days. Thank you for another fascinating sliver of London history.

[@Robslondon]

Wow! What an ancestor to have Mark! Cheers and stay well 😉

[@Spangletiger]

Thank you for putting together yet another info-packed and entertaining video! I used to find excuses to go to Tottenham Court Road tube station, just to visit Paolozzi's mosaics! I especially loved the arches because it felt like you were either entering a magical, glittering world or exiting it! I had hoped that every tube station would also have their interiors reimagined by artists.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Spangletiger; a lovely comment and so nice to hear about your passion for Paolozzi’s work 😊 Thanks again and stay well.

[@frankhooper7871]

Very interesting. My Nan was born in Warren Street and grew up in Whitfield Street, so this was definitely her part of London.

[@Robslondon]

Nice comment Frank, cheers.

[@bob56gibson]

As to the beer flood, almost twice as many gallons of red wine were released in a little Portuguese town only the other day. Nobody died but many tears were shed!

[@Robslondon]

Oh my!! I didn’t hear about that Bob! What a waste 😫

[@martinmuller2809]

The beer flood reminded me of the "Dublin whiskey fire". As Wikipedia has it: None of the fatalities suffered during the fire were due to smoke inhalation, burns,...; all of them were attributed to alcohol poisoning from drinking the undiluted whiskey

[@raymonde4272]

Another fascinating trip down memory lane Rob, or in this case Tottenham Court Road. Additional trivia regarding the great beer flood, as it was considered an Act of God, not only did the brewery not have to compensate the families of the dead but the brewery was able to reclaim the excise duty they had paid for the beer they lost.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Ray…. Crazy about the beer eh? 😂

[@jameshollyoak8230]

That was brilliant; the road ain’t the same any more now all the electrical shops have gone , I never knew about the bunkers always wondered what they were shame they didn’t open them as a tourist attraction

[@Robslondon]

Great comment James, thanks. The bunker would make a great museum wouldn’t it!

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Most interesting as always. Having often been a frequenter of the Charing Cross Road end I always thought the Euston Road end to be 'cowboy country'. Apropos Adam Ant, my old friend Dave was his friend at school (the now defunct Marylebone Grammar School) and he invited me to form a band with him and Stuart (as he was then) to play their school dance in 1971 so my first band was also AA's first band. Going back a couple of videos Stuart lived in St John's Wod and his mum was Paul McCartney's cleaner. The only other thing I can think of about Tottenham Court Rd right at this moment is that apparently (I got a letter saying so) my branch of HSBC is now there having been, for years, at 1, Woburn Place. Thanks Rob. Great work.

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant comment Paul, what a fantastic music connection to have! Adam and the Ants drummer Terry Lee Miall went to the same school as me, although he was there a bit before my time 😉 Cheers and stay well

[@lenajesse]

18:50 Had to pause the video and try cracking the maze 😄 It took me about 30 seconds...but I started from the center 🤭 Fascinating video, as always 😊

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant! And thank you 😉

[@leoniesnow]

I was lucky enough to work at the London astoria in Tottenham court road until its closing in 2009, part of the demolishing for crossrail. The whole area is a shadow of what it once was. So many of those brilliant venues gone sadly. Loving your channel, keep up the excellent work!

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Leonie, thank you so much... and yes, I agree; the area has lost so much character. The Astoria was legendary. Stay well and thanks again.

[@sharonleong7120]

Great and interesting. I love it as always. Thank you Robert. 👍👍👍😍😍😍

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Sharon 😄

[@stephenwhite5057]

I used to deliver to Rymans by Googe St Tottenham court Rd in the 1970's and I see it's still there!. Got a parking ticket almost every day, Rita was always waiting for me. Thanks for the video Rob.🤘

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Cheers Stephen 😉

[@pamcullen537]

Hi Rob, so much interesting information thank you. I think you deserve many more ‘likes’ for the effort you put in. Looking forward to the next episode 💕🦆

[@Robslondon]

I truly appreciate that Pam, thank you so much. I’ll keep plugging away 😉

[@nicholaswalker2494]

Brilliant Rob as always,the beer flood reminds me of the the Boston molasses flood, being kept in upright wooden vats which were fastened together with metal hoops.stay well and see you next time 👍👍

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Nicholas! Yes, someone else mentioned the molasses flood; I had no idea, it sound’s dreadful 😬

[@Apollo_Mint]

Magnificent video Rob! And you are totally right that there are so many stories of TCR. Dominion Theatre sometimes was used as a cinema in the 80s and I saw reruns of A Bridge Too Far and The Eagle Has Landed There. It was great to see them on the big screen. Also, one of the tunnels leading off the TCR tube station housed a snooker hall that was open 24/7. It also housed the homeless who lived in cardboard boxes. There was also a stench there but it was also heartbreaking. Something about that area that always invites tragedy. Apart from the Beer Tsunami, which I knew about already, I noted from another of your videos that a huge fire set by an arsonist killed many innocent people around the Latin bars. I wonder if anoyone remembers the Blue Posts pub? A little bit further along was a Greek restaurant that was open until the early hours, convenient after clubbing. That section was old world war 2 one floor revamped bomb shelters. All gonenow, demolished into obscurity. Also, where the casino is now, used to be a YMCA and they had a great bar called the Clock Bar with clocks on the wall showing the different time zones. best thing about it though, they had beers from around the world. Mollson from Canada was nectar, but the most fascinating one was Zhiguli from Russia. And not just Russia because it was the 80s it was still the Soviet Union. It wasn't a smooth beer, you could run a Sherman Tank with it. Mind you, you can run a Sherman Tank with almost anything. When I woke up the next day I thought I had gone to bed with a grizzly bear.

[@Robslondon]

Fantastic comment Apollo Mint, thank you. I wanted to say more about the Dominion Theatre, but there was too much! It's worth a video in its own right, so maybe one day ;-) I didn't know about the 24/7 snooker hall, that's fascinating. Cheers and stay well.

[@thetragicyouth]

In the early 80s, I saw Dire Straits and Prefab Sprout at the Dominion (on different occasions, I hasten to add, not as some weird kind of supergroup lol)

[@Hartley_Hare]

I've always called it TCR and am glad I'm not the only one.

[@SmartCookie2022]

And _Star Wars_ in 1977 was also shown at the Dominion Theatre due its popularity and the need for the movie to be shown at multiple large cinemas in central London.

[@frankmurray1549]

A wonderful video. Some of the history mentioned I knew about already, most of it is new to me, An amusement arcade with a shooting range upstairs would be unimaginable to us today. Well done Rob another top class video.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Frank. Crazy isn’t, live gunfire in a room in central London! 😬

[@frankmurray1549]

@@Robslondon How times have changed.

[@RichXZ]

Thanks Rob. In 1974 I worked at the Natwest bank just by Tottenham Ct Rd station. I think it was next to (or maybe underneath) a huge office block called Centre Point. Sadly I don't remember the murals, I just remember the buskers, and I was always running to work, or in the evening trying to get the next train to St Pancras to get home.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Rich- the murals didn't appear until around 1984, so you were ten years too early ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@hysterikole1]

That Natwest became my 'home' bank after they closed the smaller one further up TCR...would have been '00 or so.

[@tofanalexander]

I live nearby and pass the street daily. Love it! One of the reasons I stay in the area Thank you for the informative video!

[@Robslondon]

It’s an absolute pleasure! Thank you for watching 😊

[@davidbennett9691]

#6 - Tottenham Court Road was home to the original Prince of Wales's Theatre (closed in 1882 and demolished in 1903). At this small but immensely influential theatre, actors Marie Wilton (Lady Bancroft), Harry Montague, Charles Coghlan, John Hare, Ellen Terry and others pioneered the modern naturalistic style of acting with realistic settings and costumes.

[@annereidy7981]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you! You never cease to amaze.

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Anne, that’s so kind of you to say; thank you! Stay well 😊

[@annereidy7981]

@@Robslondon so interesting and well deserved.

[@peterbrown6224]

Withnail and I have entered the chat. The Rising Sun used to be a good spot to drop into, but the TCR s pretty soulless now.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Peter thank you; I forgot there was a connection with Withnail and I, wish I’d included it now! Cheers and stay well 😉

[@vespelian]

I worked as a bucklemaker in Charlottes Street from 1979-1980.

[@robbicu]

I really love these deep dives into London neighborhoods!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks!

[@butchknapman3939]

Rob, yet again, another excellent video. It was over all to quick just getting into the flow of superb research, photos, maps, and bang-up come the credits Well done

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Butch! Nice comment; much appreciated, hope you’re keeping well mate.

[@shahjhanhaider26]

You have done hard work bey writing history of Tottenham street. The highway burglary prevalent in back years were common,the arcade murders was shocking,the spilling of liquor in street and Turing into deluge tells us stories of those days.The tube station and war Tim shelter made in tube as well as outside,it's all well presented,

[@shahjhanhaider26]

I forget to mention that arcade where assassin's lived ,the attempt on lord Curzon viceroy of India of his time was dreading, The mosaics in Tottenham tube is beautiful

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated my friend, thank you.

[@shahjhanhaider26]

Thank you

[@michaelj3282]

Used to do a pub crawl down TCR, starting at Euston road and heading south, must have been a dozen pubs there in the 90s, and so many more electronics shops. Top memories, don't recall many of the pubs now, all of a haze! Great vid as always Rob. Well done.

[@SheeplessNW6]

I remember bumping into an American couple photographing a "traditional London pub" in TCR (I think it was the Jack Horner). I didn't have the heart to tell them it was almost brand new, and was formerly a branch of Martin's Bank. It looked the part, though.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Michael! I was going to have a section about how Karl Marx once did a pub crawl (which ended up being very chaotic) with a group of friends along Tottenham Court Road! I couldn’t really fit it in, but look it up, plenty of articles on it 😉

[@michaelj3282]

@@Robslondon That's brilliant, we never knew we followed in such illustrious footsteps. Should have finished off with a quick one near to Highgate Cemetery had we known.

[@gracemorgan2587]

Thank you for sharing your great knowledge of my neighbourhood. I moved here just over a year ago and everything you’ve shared here is so interesting!! I’ve subscribed, I love London history.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Grace for the lovely comment! And it’s good to have you here 😊 Thanks again and stay well

[@rontanser9369]

Well, that was a wonderful and interesting video, I agree with you that What a shame that beautiful old hotel was not down to build a hideous concrete structure

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha, cheers Ron! 😉 Thanks for the kind words mate; hope you’re keeping well.

[@Slycockney]

Brilliant video Rob thank you once again. I worked just off Tottenham Court Road for over twelve years and never once did I have my body snatched no matter how hard I tried.

[@Robslondon]

🤣🤣 Thanks! 😉

[@acustomer7216]

Fascinating.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you 😊

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

Fun Fact : Michael Carter { who played Gerald, the unfortunate commuter in An American Werewolf In London } also played The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in the 1984 television adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge, and he also played Bib Fortuna in Star Wars : Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.

[@Robslondon]

100% correct 😉 I did in fact meet him many years ago and got his autograph!

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

@@Robslondon Lucky, and thanks for the like on my comment!

[@Robslondon]

@@lordbarristertimsh8050 Anytime ;-)

[@richardcoombes9491]

thanks rob i know tcr very well as i used to work in russell square for near on 20 years , a lovely oasis of london and so interesting so once again thanks rob and your vlogs are so cool well done my man keep up the good work

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate that Richard, thank you. Stay well mate.

[@richardcoombes9491]

well done rob thanks mate @@Robslondon

[@NeuroZombie]

My wife and I were just visiting London the last two weeks and staying at the St Giles Hotel right where some of this video was shot, looking at the Ole + Steen we ate at most mornings. Made us miss the area already and we just got back home to Florida. Fantastic video!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much! Hope you make it back here soon 😉

[@vivianleguizamon8863]

I was also at the St Giles Hotel, very good area! And the video is very interesting! I made the most of the TCR tube

[@FluffyMcFluffavicMeowskiOFluff]

Beautiful video... as always! Thoroughly enjoying working my way through all your videos and delighted to constantly see so many places and locations I've known so well all my life!!

[@Robslondon]

Such a lovely comment! Thank you :-) Much appreciated.

[@chanelno.5560]

Aww, I have a lovely memory. I remember my Dad taking me on my 12th Birthday (1992) down to the electronics shops to buy my first Ghettoblaster stereo. It’s was a JVC one and I remember the shop having JVC on the canopy outside. I loved that stereo and it lasted for nearly 20yrs!!! Used to belong to the YMCA gym down there two back in my Uni days!! Happy memories 💜

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment thank you, sounds like we’re the same age 😉

[@paulwilson7234]

A brilliant video for a Sunday evening. 👌 Any connection with the song House of the rising sun?

[@Robslondon]

You’re most welcome Paul, glad you enjoyed it! 😉 Cheers.

[@huwlewis9059]

Great video bringing back lots of memories. Used to work just off TCR in the mid-eighties, my first job. The pubs of Fitzrovia were a treat, and lunch at the Mandeer was a regular event - long benches, metal trays, plastic cutlery, water to drink, amazing food, cost next to nothing. Those were the days. Sigh.

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant comment Huw 😊

[@kerryfowler7717]

Very much enjoyed watching your absolutely fascinating video! I’m going to have to watch it again! Thank you so very much! 👍🏽

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Kerry for such a lovely comment! Much appreciated; thanks and stay well ☺️

[@markcarson8]

Cheers Rob, i always think I know so much about London and then you make me look stupid as you’re knowledge is top notch, cheers mate

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Mark; such a nice comment 😊 Really appreciate that, thank you. Stay well mate.

[@mickymantle3233]

Literally bumped into Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience) on T.C.R. in early 1969. He suddenly came out of a shop clutching a large bunch of drumsticks. The whole feeling in & around the West End back then was something you cannot adequately put into words today. Very grubby.. but there was a feeling of real excitement & 'happening' everywhere. I mean it. Lol.

[@Robslondon]

Wow!! 😎

[@robbojax2025]

Another fine video. Who remembers the Horseshoe pub next to the Dominion?

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Robbojax… that pub rings a bell, can you remember roughly when it closed?

[@robbojax2025]

@@Robslondon must be 20 years or more

[@paulmerryman]

Another fine piece of work Rob. Informative from start to finish.

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Paul, thank you. Hope you’re keeping well mate.

[@douglasthompson296]

Heyas Rob, terrific content as usual. Damned I didnt know that most of the HiFi and electronic shops had gone from TCR, just shows how long it is since I have been there 🧐 It looks as though history repeating itself as certain areas of Central London are just as lawless as they were back then too. I think you also learnt a lot of London facts presented by contributers in the comments, were never too old to learn 😎 Give yourself a pat on the back for a first class presentation. Cheers DougT

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Doug, cheers ;-) Yes, I think there is only one electronic shop left there now, so sad. And yep, there have always been crooks and dodgy individuals; it's one of things I love about history! Cheers mate and stay well.

[@watchmakersp9935]

Thanks Rob for another interesting video. Some additional facts are ; Tottenham Court Road is the only " Road" in the City of on London. There was another tube entrance for the original Tottenham Court Rd (unsure which tube line it was)..unused for many years which was demolished about 15 years ago..roughly opposite Superdrug store. And unfortunately Liberal MP Sir Percy Alden was killed by a V1 bomb 30 June 1944 at the juntcion of Tott Ct Rd and Grafton Way where there were house destroyed.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment, thank you! I didn’t know about the V1 bomb, and wish I could remember that old tube entrance! Will have to see if I can find a picture, the station was pretty grubby by that point wasn’t it. I thought Goswell Road was the only road in the City? 😉 Cheers and stay well.

[@watchmakersp9935]

Gosewll Rd - okay - Tott Ct Rd probably the only main road in the City perhaps. thanks, Craig@@Robslondon

[@bob56gibson]

The City of London boundary is at least a mile from Tottenham Court Road. And Goswell Road is right on the boundary with the line going down the centre of the road.

[@SheeplessNW6]

Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Finchley Road, Theobalds Road, Grays Inn Road...

[@bob56gibson]

We're talking about the City of London. Which is the square mile a bit further east on the footprint of Roman Londinuium. Goswell Road is half in half out as a result of boundary changes. Before that there were indeed no Roads in the city of London.

[@karlp8484]

Land values in London (from the sixties) are such that bomb sites were quickly redeveloped. But in other cities like Middlesborough they frequently are still there, often used as car parks. You can see where the bricks from the destroyed buildings have been levelled out on the ground.

[@DonBean-ej4ou]

Vauxhall had bombsites left over from WW1 as well as WW2 well in to the 80's

[@priscillamontoya]

Loved and enjoyed as always! Well done once again. ❤❤❤

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Priscilla! Hope you’re keeping well 😊

[@user-dh8qz6gy2b]

I really enjoyed this. I was inspired to learn more about Dhingra, Alan Fletcher and Paolozzi. Fascinating stuff!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you ☺️

[@samnpoppythedog4416]

Really enjoyed that, very interesting. By the way the maze about 30 seconds

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! And good time 😉

[@mickontherock1]

Excellent and well researched as always thanks Rob

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Mick!

[@lindiwright1373]

Thanks Rob! Fabby Totters historical journey! Brill work. All the best fellah❤

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Lindi- same to you! :-)

[@lilmandan96]

Fascinating as always, nice one !

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks!

[@gilltagg3352]

Brilliant! Really enjoyed this, thank you. ❤

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Gill! Hope you’re keeping well ☺️

[@simonbarringer3415]

Yet another excellent and enjoyable program to watch from you rob !!!!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Simon!

[@itsjohndell]

The station I have used more than any other over the decades. Thanks Rob, kudos as always! PS you might find this film of interest if you haven't seen it "The Body Snatcher" part of a great partnership of Producer Val Lewton, Director Robert Wise (a good friend) starring Boris Karloff and Henry Danielle at RKO 1945. Classic horror via Robert Louis Stephenson.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks John- I don’t know that film, will have to look it up! Cheers 😉

[@SmartCookie2022]

Or the British version starring Peter Cushing and Donald Pleasence called _The Flesh and the Fiends_ (1960) if you want a movie not shot on a Hollywood studio backlot.

[@lauraswann5543]

Thank you very much Rob, very interesting as usual.

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Laura, thank you 😊

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Roger!

[@way2deep100]

I was crestfallen when, a few years ago, I confidently took my nephew on the Tube to where I knew he'd be able to get the A/V setup he was after. The Tottenham Court Road I remember visiting almost weekly as a schoolboy was no more. In the early 70s, I was in Lasky's and the large store opposite whose name escapes me so often and spent so much time there that I was regularly either mistaken for staff by shoppers or for a shoplifter by staff. It wasn't until the 1990s that I could afford to go crazy and treat myself to some of the high-end brands I used to covet. Fifteen years or so later I was literally disoriented for a few minutes after not being able to point out even one of what I promised my nephew would be l HiFi and electronics retailers as far as the eye can see. Only the existence of the Dominion reassured me that I was even in the right place. I wonder what prompted the mass electronics exodus.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks... a nice comment, albeit somewhat sad... thanks for sharing and stay well.

[@henrycastle1]

Nice one Rob A real insight to a area often overlooked Genuine gratitude Thank you

[@Robslondon]

I really appreciate that Henry, cheers!

[@dougknight1720]

Thanks Rob. Another fascinating video of another interesting part of London. Keep up the good work. Much appreciated

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Doug ;-)

[@petercalthorpe7966]

G'day Rob , very interesting and fascinating stories of London. Thanks for sharing, all the best form down under mate. 👍🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Peter, thank you! 🇦🇺

[@M500VYN]

Totally brilliant. Thanks Rob.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure, thank you so much for the kind words.

[@bobj3251]

Hi Rob that was excellent impressed how you consistently keep the quality high keep em coming ! Thanks

[@Robslondon]

I really appreciate that Bob, thank you!

[@SLane249]

Informative and entertaining, thanks for sharing.

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated, thank you 😊

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

Eight people killed by beer? They came to a bitter end… Is that my taxi?

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@lydialen6881]

Another fab video Rob, thank you. 😊

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much 😊

[@louisep5178]

Fascinating Rob thanks so much for your terrific research 💎💙🙏 the deaths in the great beer flood are very sad.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Louise; much appreciated. Stay well.

[@louisep5178]

@@Robslondon You too Rob 🙏

[@EmmaMallinder]

Your videos are fascinating - thank you so much!

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me Emma; thank you so much for your kind words and support; I really appreciate it 🙂Thanks again and stay well.

[@barrywa39]

Absolutely brilliant Rob. Really enjoyed it, and once again, amazed at all the information, and history.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Barry! Hope you’re keeping well.

[@barrywa39]

@@Robslondon always a pleasure Rob. I'm doing good thank you, hope that you are too.

[@sarahlouise7163]

fascinating! i particularly love anything to do with the earliest histories of London streets. please do more! and thanks again for another amazing video 😃

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Sarah Louise, thank you!

[@andicheese1763]

Another great video of London Rob. I used ro save up as a teenager to go to London to purchase a couple of ac CD's once a month down Oxdord street. But we always got off at Tottenham Court Road and walked up to Warren Street and back looking at all the electrical shops, picking out what i would like if i had any money. This was the late 70's and early 80's. I went back in 2008 to study in New Cavendish Street and to my horror TCR had changed into a very dull and uninspiring walk. Multiple coffee oulets, many from the same corporation, fast food outlets and the chain express style supermarkets. My youth lost in the tsunami of corporate enterprises, maybe it needs another beer flood to wash away this highstreet that is every highstreet in the UK. But as i apprach my 60's and still cannot afford the amazing stereos and hi-fi's of the 70's there is a new richness ro be had, one i had taken for granted for many years. The rich history and tapestry that was once London. Looking up at the old buildings, the architecture, the designs. The tunnels underneath, the names of roads and places. All being a new perspective for me and has brought London back to life. Through people like yourself and others who have researched and shared their knowledge I am learning so much about where i work and live that makes everyday an old fashioned lucky bag, i dont know what i am going to get unless i look in. So thanks again for another video that is both entertaining and educational. ❤

[@Robslondon]

Such a great comment andi, thanks for taking the time to write- I enjoyed reading that! It used to be my go-to place to for buying music and films; a vital resource in the days before the internet! Thanks so much for the kind words and stay well.

[@Gerry0866]

Great video! I have lots of fond memories of Tottenham Court Road from my days in London in the late 1980s. My first job in London was in the Bedford Arms bar at the Bedford Corner Hotel, on the corner of TCR and Bayley Street. I was near there recently and went for a coffee in Gails Bakery, which now occupies the space that used to be the bar, back in the summer of 1986. The Jack Horner pub, right next door, was a branch of Barclays Bank. Our bar was the regular after-work spot for the staff from the TV Times magazine as well as lots of people working in the dozens of electronics shops on TCR itself. I was a bit of a hi-fi enthusiast back in those days and bought a number of components of my ever-changing set-up from some of those shops. I still have a working NAD amplifier that I bought there in 1989. I'm racking my brain trying to think of the name of the pub we used to go to ourselves. I think it was on Windmill Street, in a block of buildings that was demolished in the 1990s or early 2000s.

[@Robslondon]

Great memories Gerry, many thanks for sharing!

[@Deedeevenice]

I worked In Shaftesbury Avenue from 1997 to 2005- getting off at Tottenham crt rd! Loved it!

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@ChrisSmith-ls7mb]

Hello Robert Great video. Love learning new things. Thanks for the video. Take care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks guys, hope you’re keeping well 😊

[@Richard500]

I was born in 1946 a short walk from Tottenham Court Road in Hampstead Road and only 2 or 3 minutes from Mornington Crescent tube station, both with equally interesting histories ( Jack the Ripper for one). It's needless to say Tottenham Court Road and Hampstead Road look NOTHING like they did back when I was a child. A treat at Christmas was to walk down to Heal's to look at their "Christmas Window" fully decked out with a Christmas dinner setting. The area had been badly bombed and there were so many sites which were simply the cellars of the houses that had once stood there. Now, when I return I can barely work out where I had been born. The whole area was a melting pot of Greeks from Cyprus, some French and many Irish. It was scruffy, a bit intimidating at night but when I look back I don't recall any crime and I was still allowed to go out alone at night when I was 12 to 15 years old.

[@Robslondon]

Nice comment Richard, thanks.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Another great video! 👍

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! 😊

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@Robslondon always! ☺️

[@jorowlands8122]

Most interesting, thank you. Look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Jo :-)

[@ibrahimsavran4563]

Superb video. Thank you very much Rob 🙂.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure Ibrahim, thanks so much for watching 😊

[@jonathanchalk2507]

Great research, Rob. Thank you.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure Jonathan, many thanks 😊

[@StephenLyons-tl8ie]

Very interesting and informative. Thanks!!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Stephen 😉

[@tonypub40]

Great video as usual 👍

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Tony!

[@mookie2637]

I spent many happy hours in the area in the 80s and 90s, first as an MA student at Birkbeck, but then as a patron of the slightly mysterious (and enormous) Centre Point Snooker and Pool club, which was accessed via a small door from the northern tube exit. Probably long gone now as part of the redevelopment. And my first half-decent hi fi was bought from one the outlets in the concrete section of the road as you headed towards Euston.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment and memories, thank you

[@davidsillars3181]

I certainly remember being sent on an errand to get some electronic applience or component for one of the London uncles! Thought about that when you announced this was the next vid destination! Great story Rob. All the best.

[@Robslondon]

Nice comment David, cheers 😉

[@mrXx9252]

I had a pint of guinness in the rising sun in 2008, I think. I stayed at the hotel across from Euston tower I think. Thanks for the video really enjoyed it!

[@Robslondon]

Cheers ;-) Appreciate the kind words; thanks.

[@rofromoz1361]

Just discovered this one.. another brilliantly presented informative video. Many thanks

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much :-)

[@roowyrm9576]

Growing up in London (lived there 1955 to 1979) Tottenham Court Rd meant 2 things to me....the big cinema there (Dominion?) where I saw "The Sound of Music" several times, and later, electronics shops that sold discounted music systems.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment thank you! Yes, the Dominion.... was an important cinema, now a theatre. I wanted to include more about it here, but thought there was enough for a video in its own right! Thanks again and stay well.

[@massivley]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this I’ve walked up and down Tottenham Court Road many times over the last 26 years or so, and have always been interested in London history have now subscribed to the channel

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much David; good to have you here!

[@BearTechNation]

Great video! Thanks!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you 😊

[@Jpkjr52]

I have often walked this street.Enjoyed the history lesson. Thanks again John in Chicago.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you John 😉

[@paulwally9007]

An absolutely amazing video. Thank you!

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Paul, that’s so kind of you to say! Many thanks indeed.

[@paulwally9007]

@@Robslondon I've got a lot of personal anecdotes from Tottenham Court Road. I don't know if you'd like me to elaborate? Most, if not all, of them are pretty dysfunctional. Currently watching your video on Full Metal Jacket.

[@Robslondon]

Please feel free ;-) @@paulwally9007

[@mancroft]

Excellent as usual. Thank you. Can do do a vid about the Pool of London at some stage, please?

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much :-) I have it on my list yes; that is an excellent topic for a video! Stay well and thanks again.

[@MaybeJohn]

Hi Rob. Really enjoy you videos from here in Ireland. Thank you.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers John! Always great to have viewers from Ireland in 😉 Thanks again mate and stay well 🇮🇪

[@marlenekingdon482]

I'll have to come back to London to see those wonderful mosaics. Great video.❤

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! Hope you make it back soon 😉

[@ptaybi7005]

Does anyone remember the massive Virgin megastore on the corner of TCR? I could spend hours there as a teenager browsing the huge selection of DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs etc. Great bargains to be found too on the classics.

[@Robslondon]

I used to go there all the time 😉

[@johnmichaelrichards]

I used to live close to Tottenham Court Road. Thank you for this insight. I salute Torial Joss for cutting through red tape.

[@Robslondon]

Nice comment, thanks 😉

[@dannyvanstraelen3273]

loved it , thanks👍

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Danny! Sorry I haven’t replied to your emails yet; been totally swamped making this video!

[@seagoingcook]

Great vid!!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks! 😄

[@adamshatwell]

Super information packed video. I love Tottenham Court Road area & visit it a lot. I wondered why the Costa coffee was on it's own, lovely to have an answer. I love old footage especially underground stations & am looking forward to watching your other videos

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Adam 😉 Really appreciate your kind words; cheers and stay well.