Bohemia Village Voice

Tobacconists & confectioners, The Cabin

Builders converting three Bohemia Road premises into flats for the Park Lane Group discovered some shop fascias that had not seen the light of day for many years. One was in good condition, but the other two had been painted over. Number 137 was The Cabin, tobacconists and confectioners. Underneath the white paint on number 135 was faintly discernable the legend “Colourful Homes”. A check in Kelly’s directory for 1968 revealed that the then proprietor of The Cabin was H. W. Seanor, that of Colourful Homes, ”a decorator’s merchants and DIY store”, was J. Abraham, while number 139 had already been turned into a private house. Inside The Cabin the builders found some old posters advertising Sun-kissed and Tip-top orange juice, plus a few old coins.
“The interiors were in very poor condition,” said builder Richard Hall, from the Park Lane Group. “They had to be completely gutted. None of this slap-over business! The buildings will be made to emulate Victorian frontages. We’ll put the mouldings back, and they’ll have sash windows. The flats will be to a very high standard.” Builder James Bourne said, “Bohemia Road facelift! They’ll look lovely after!”

Three shops being converted for Park Lane Group

o Does anyone have any reminiscences about the three shops they would like to share with other readers?