Harrison Gibson

Harrison and Gibson was once a famous high street furniture store in Ilford. Throughout most of the 20th century, the store was an important part of Ilford. 

In 1959, the store was destroyed by fire. Damage to the store resulted in the loss of £900,000 in stock and £2 million in property. The business continued, and various spaces were rented. The nightclub room remained for many years and the furniture store continued to sell furniture on a smaller scale for the next 20 years. 

There was a nightclub in the penthouse of the store, which was accessible only by elevator.

Planning permission has now been granted by Redbridge Council for the demolition and redevelopment of the iconic Harrison Gibson. It is proposed to convert this vacant, deteriorating building into 330 new apartments, including 103 affordable rentals. 

I was fortunate to have the chance to go inside and take photos of the derelict Harrison Gibson building in May 2022.

Black and white photograph. The derelict building and the roof appear to open up and the rain has collected on the floor. You can see the reflection in the puddles. The pillars holding the roof are peeling from the paint. Further at the back of the open space are windows that
Black and white photograph. This photo was taken in the dark corner of the space and light is leaking through from the big wall vents and some from an exit. You can see small puddles on the ground
Black and white photograph. The derelict building and the roof appear to open up and the rain has collected on the floor. You can see the reflection in the puddles. The pillars holding the roof are peeling from the paint. The focus is on the big windows that show the cityscape through the fog. Beside the window is a pile of rubble collected by the puddles.
Black and white photograph. The derelict building and the roof appear to open up and the rain has collected on the floor. You can see the reflection in the puddles. Further at the back of the open space, small windows leak in light from the outside. There’s one thin pillar holding the roof in the center of the frame and a wall that has been bashed.
Black and white photograph. The derelict building and the focus is the corner of the room. The big windows show a neighbouring building through the fog. Beside the window is a pile of white bin bags and they’re resting on the rigged metal wall.