Opening Gallery

Opening of Whiteleys department store, 1911

Two pictures reporting on the opening of Whiteley's department store in Bayswater, West London in at the end of November 1911. The original store, in Westbourne Grove had burned down in 1887 and this new building took retail to a new level, dazzling shoppers with its size and amenities such as a golf course on the roof and a theatre. The huge crowds that assembled for the opening can be seen in the right hand picture. Date: 1911

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Opening of the Colchester Oyster Fishery

Ceremonial scene at the opening of the annual Colchester Oyster Fishery. On the first Friday of September the Mayor of Colchester, the Town Clerk, and the Town Sergeant go out on an oyster dredger into the Pyefleet Channel of the Colne estuary off Mersea Island, in full civic regalia. The Mayor dredges and consumes the first oyster of the season. He and his guests then proceed to an oyster lunch to celebrate the opening of the fishery. The ceremony dates back to medieval times

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Opening day of Tower Bridge, London 1894

Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones and Mr. Wolfe Barry, comprises a permanent footway 142ft above high-water level and a drawbridge for passing ships. Photograph showing the day of opening with crowds of people watching from boats on the River Thames. Date: 30 June 1894

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1890s, 1894, 30, Boats, Bridge, Bridges, Celebrating, Day, Drawbridge, June, London, Opening, River, Thames, Tower