For the attention of PoundShopPeter...

I thought you might be interested that this picture is not actually of Whitefriars Lane, despite the caption:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joybert/4335655494/in/set-72157623221338983/

It is in fact the upper end of Gosford Street and the archway through what was then the 'Black Lion' pub was just the entrance to Whitefriars Lane. All three buildings were demolished in 1957 to make way for a new road which was then immediately cancelled. The Black Lion dates from at least 1756 and ceased to be a pub around 1904 but continued in use as a shop.

This is the middle building in its final guise as a gents outfitters:

(The building to the right of the archway was a funeral parlour at this time)

These are the temporary buildings which took their place when the new road was abandoned:

The entrance to Whitefriars Lane is now just a gap between the buildings. The Rover saloon belonged to bookmaker Jimmy Gough jnr who was a regular visitor to the Mermaid Inn (just showing extreme-left).

The Rover saloon belonged to bookmaker Jimmy Gough jnr who was a regular visitor to the Mermaid Inn (just showing extreme-left).

I could be mistaken (I frequently am) but the car looks more like a Ford Corsair than a Rover to me.

The Rover saloon belonged to bookmaker Jimmy Gough jnr who was a regular visitor to the Mermaid Inn (just showing extreme-left).

I could be mistaken (I frequently am) but the car looks more like a Ford Corsair than a Rover to me.

Well spotted Rebbonk! I was so used to seeing Jimmy's Rover 2000 being parked there I automatically assumed it was his

Thanks. Always good to see pictures like this.