Kentish Town has been respecting its merchant past in recent months with the happy discovery and restoration of original hand-painted shop front signage. Concealed for decades under the achingly dull Brassino Café sign was the legend, ‘E.Mono’, now a sign of the best ‘babs in all London Town.
And earlier this week we highlighted another example, as ‘D. Hill’ was revealed during redevelopment of a shop on Brecknock Road. However there has been much local consternation on the subject of today’s Wednesday Picture, a shop which has gone dramatically against the tide, seeing a most celebrated sign covered over.
Pawnbroker and jewellers Dawson & Briant, have been one of the longest standing fixtures on the High Street, the name proudly outlasting those at many of the area’s ancient watering holes. With a trading history on the site dating back to 1840, the frontage was also the first to gain Grade II listed status on Kentish Town Road.
It’s since been joined in the English Heritage good books by the gloriously impractical entrance to Blustons and the former college now colloquially known as the Pizza Express building, which was recently threatened by developers. (The Assembly House, Bull & Gate, Forum and church a bit further up the way are also listed too, heritage fans).
Yet despite the Grade II listing, last week saw new owners Albemarle fit a black plastic sign in place of the ancient gold trimmed “Dawson and Briant”, ironically only next door but one to the lovingly salvaged E.Mono.
Here’s the most recent Google Street Map image of the arcade, featuring the pre-E.Mono Café and the original Dawson and Briant.
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English Heritage note the ‘good late C19 shopfront having large console-bracket fascia stops and gilded brattishing’ and also mention the projecting cast-iron clock and pawnbroker’s sign.
None of these could be said to be effected by the (C21) corporate identity rebranding job, however the interior, with ‘3 sides of display cabinets with glazed wall-mounted cupboards all of a piece with shopfront’ has been substantially done away with in favour of an altogether more brutal décor. Is this even legal?
It is minor consolation that Albemarle continue the long tradition of pawn broking on the site, but judging by the artefacts appearing in the listed window cabinets so far, this is more of the Cash Converters variety than the much loved jewellery and watch battery fitting services of the long standing D&B.
Words: Tom Kihl
7 thoughts on “Wednesday Picture: Dawson & Briant, since 1840”
Am saddened to see the new signage on the old Dawson & Briant shop. The old sign really added character to our increasingly “identikit” high street. Does this mean the lovely family who ran it for as long as I can remember have sold up & moved on?
How dense do you have to be (and as a business owner!) to cover up a familiar and beautiful landmark on KT road with an eyesore like that? Would the council have something to say?
OMG! THis is HORRIFIC! Why wasn’t the shop front and shop sign listed??? Will the same happen to Blustons? Or can something be done before its’ too late??? Arrrggghhh!
The shop front IS listed, Sue! Not sure if that includes the sign but it’s fairly pointless otherwise (and it certainly includes the cabinets inside which seem to have gone…)
Look here: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-478607-dawson-and-briant-281-hampstead
The listing includes the pawnbroker sign & the clock, but omits mention of the facing sign: http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1379239
It makes specific mention of the interior cabinets & ceiling. I’ve not had a chance to go inside recently, but if they have breached this listing, then the local planning authority should be alerted – they can serve an enforcement notice on the occupiers & owners of the building. However, there are a lot of conditions to be met. See details here: http://property.practicallaw.com/8-422-4040
It enrages me when businesses who ought to know better (Albemarle aren’t some fly-by-night) ride roughshod over local sensibilities. When I get a chance I’ll be going in & having a good look at the interior (not been in for a few years – since I had a ring repaired at D&B, but I can remember the display cabintes the listing mentions.) Can’t rule out taking this further – might have to find out who the ‘local planning authority’ are & show them what’s wrong.
This was my grandfathers shop that he owned and ran from the late 1940’s until 1985. I am deeply saddened to see the Dawson and Briant name disappear I wonder if they destroyed the original sign of just covered it ?
Is there any chance that Paul has any photos of the shop, inside and outside in the family archives. Albarle and Bond have left. It is hoped that they have left the original signage under their acrylic sign but only removing their sign will allow us to see. They removed some/much of the interior and having them reinstate [or any new owners] will only be possible if we can acquire references. Please could the Kentish Towner pass on my email details.