Laurie Allen

Laurie Allen

Local resident, historian, poet, singer, and much more. Laurie Allen – or Laurie of Petticoat Lane as he’s known – is something of a local legend. Spend an afternoon wandering around Petticoat Lane and you’ll manage less than twenty steps before someone stops to chat with him. Having grown up on Petticoat Lane in the post-war years, Laurie has seen the rapid change of the local area and is something of an expert when it comes to the history of Petticoat Lane. It’s hard to summarise Laurie in just a few hundred words. Once you’ve spent time with him, it’s clear to see that what he really needs is his own book – a series, arguably! We sat down with Laurie to learn more about the history of the area and his incredible life as a true East Ender.

A little more about Laurie…

Laurie grew up in post-war London and has spent his whole life living in the city. From his early days working in the famous Houndsditch Warehouse department store, to being a messenger in the city of London (doing the post run, delivering cheques to banks), Laurie knows the city like the back of his hand.

When we met Laurie for coffee in Aldgate, he recalled the ‘halcyon days’ of London with a smile across his face. Whether it was singing in the Hackney Empire, meeting the Queen, or rubbing shoulders with musical icons like Jimi Hendrix, Roger Daltrey, and Cat Stevens – there’s no denying Laurie is engrained in the fabric and history of the East End. Laurie even worked on the famous Fennel Report during his time working for Transport for London. The report investigated the King’s Cross Underground fire in 1987 and was instrumental in the installation of metal-only escalators in all London tube stations.

Nowadays, Laurie is a local tour guide and historian, entertaining the people of London with his in-depth knowledge of the East End. Known locally as ‘The Stroller’, Laurie’s tours include a deep dive into London’s fascinating and sometimes dark past, exploring the local areas rich history as a market and trading hub as well as its connections to the notorious Jack The Ripper and The Krays. He no longer rocks the Mod look like he did back in the day (complete with Mohair suit), but the swagger and charm are still there. You only need to Google ‘Laurie & The Gang’ and you’ll see Laurie and his friends reminiscing about life in London. We can only imagine the fun (and mischief) they got up to across the city.

As we spent the afternoon with Laurie, exploring the streets that make up the famous ‘Petticoat Lane’, we were treated to just a glimpse of the life he’s led in East London. Cheeky conversations with the market traders, jokes with business owners, and the constant ring of ‘Hello Laurie!’ from passersby. It’s clear that Petticoat Lane and the East End is really Laurie’s world, and we’re all just living in it!

Do you have anything you’d consider a hidden gem in Petticoat Lane?

I’d have to say Happy Days fish & chip shop. It’s been here for more than 40 years and is a firm favourite of mine. It’s a family run business and they make the most delicious fish & chips. It’s actually on the site of one of Jack the Ripper’s murders. If you visit the shop, you can see the original note from Jack and read all about the history of the case!

Over on Bell Lane you have Galina Hair Studio, where I go for my haircut. Galina’s is a husband-and-wife duo running the studio. They’ve been here for years and are a key member of the community now. I just get the usual short back and sides – gone are the days when I was a mod with the hair and full look! It’s a proper community business. All of my mates go there now.

Lastly, you have Noora Café. This is what I’d call a classic London café! Great food and great prices, friendly staff, good conversation. I love heading here for a bite to eat on a Saturday.

And lastly, do you have a favourite stall on the market?

I’d say the suitcase seller on Petticoat Lane. He’s been here for 30 years selling and is part of the fabric of Petticoat Lane now. He loves to barter and haggle with customers, it’s brilliant! He really reminds me of how Petticoat Lane market was when I was younger, with all the noise and excitement. It’s nice to see people keeping that experience alive!