Entertainment, Industry, Tech — Shoreditch Through the Ages

Shoreditch is one of London’s most popular districts among locals, tourists, creatives and more recently, tech entrepreneurs. So how did an area known for being industrial and alternative become a go-to location for tech companies?

17th Century Shoreditch

While today, Shoreditch is an established district in central London, in the 17th century it was considered a suburb outside the City. As the area wasn’t under the jurisdiction of the puritanical City Fathers, it became a popular location for taverns, bowling alleys and theatres. Home to the first playhouse in England, simply named ‘The Theatre’, Shoreditch hosted a great number of theatrical performances and became an early hub for entertainment. The arrival of wealthy traders and French silk weavers signalled the beginning of an industrial boom which would also bring furniture and textile manufacturers to the district. The industrial revolution in Shoreditch would be at the heart of its economic growth for decades, until many manufacturers gradually moved to other areas throughout the 20th century.

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