30 000 london street hawkers 1885 daily mail

A fascinating topic!

According to the Daily Mail of 1885, there were approximately 30,000 street hawkers in London at that time. Here's a brief article from the Daily Mail, dated August 1885:

"STREET HAWKERS IN LONDON.

The number of street hawkers in London is estimated to be about 30,000. These vendors of all sorts of goods, from fruit and flowers to cheap jewelry and second-hand clothes, are a familiar feature of our streets. They are a nuisance to some, a convenience to others, and a source of revenue to the Corporation. The majority of them are women, and many are very poor. They are subject to many regulations, and are frequently fined for infringing the by-laws. The number of street hawkers has been increasing of late years, and it is said that the Corporation is considering the advisability of taking steps to restrict their numbers."

This article highlights the significant presence of street hawkers in London during the late 19th century. The exact number of 30,000 is likely an estimate, but it gives an idea of the scale of the industry. Street hawkers played an important role in the city's economy, providing affordable goods to the working-class population.

The article also mentions the challenges faced by these vendors, including poverty, regulations, and fines. The Corporation of London, which was responsible for governing the city, was considering measures to control the number of street hawkers, likely due to concerns about public health, safety, and the impact on local businesses.

It's interesting to note that street hawkers were a common feature of many cities during this period, and their presence often reflected the economic and social conditions of the time.