Tooley Street, London: The Great Stink

Available for over a year

The outbreak of World War One had some unexpected consequences in London. In September 1914, German egg inspectors were stopped from entering the wharves of the Port of London’s egg market on Tooley Street under the powers of the Defence of the Realm Act. Germans made up the majority of the egg inspectors and the result was that tons of eggs built up and went rotten. Surrounding businesses and residents in Bermondsey were left to cope with the result: a “great stink” which well into 1915. The situation was only resolved after a group of businesses prosecuted the local council. Location: Tooley Street, London SE1