Sugar refining became an important industry in the local area in the late nineteenth century. Raw cane sugar was imported into Britain from the West Indies, so the refineries were situated close to the docks.

Animal charcoal or ‘char’ was used in the refining process, and sugar workers did shifts of up to twelve hours in extremely hot conditions. Children sometimes earned money working as ‘beer-boys’, taking beer to quench the thirst of men who worked in the ‘char-house’.

Tom McAllister
The Old Dispensary
30 Romford Road, Stratford
London E15 4BZ
Tel: 020 8430 6393 Fax: 020 8430 6392

Last updated 17 February 2003