Gerrard Street is the main street of Chinatown.
It was named for Lord Gerard (later Gerrard) of Macclesfield - his house on the south side burnt down in 1887.
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Lord Gerrard gave permission for houses to be built on his farmland. This led to the creation of Gerrard Street in 1685, marking the beginning of Soho. The area also saw the construction of a market hall and slaughterhouse.
Within a century, Soho became a popular destination, attracting artists, authors and politicians. The Turk’s Head Inn, a local establishment, became a meeting place for London’s intelligentsia. Soho also became a magnet for immigrant communities, starting with the French Huguenots. In the late 1800s, waves of immigrants, including Italians, Jewish and Maltese communities, settled in the area.
In the 1920s, Soho continued to thrive culturally. Kate Meyrick, an Irish proprietor, ran the notorious 43 Club at 43 Gerrard Street. Jazz maverick Ronnie Scott established his first jazz club in the basement of number 39.
The transformation into Chinatown began in the mid-20th century with an influx of Chinese immigrants. Initially, Chinese restaurants and businesses opened, and the community gradually expanded.
