Category Archives: Shops

Richard Rickman, tailor

Tailor at 165 London Road, between the library and Downe Road, possibly between 1952 and 1971.

Listed in the 1952 Chamber of Commerce and advertised in 1965:

Norwood News – Friday 30 July 1965

The 1954 phone book gives his first name as Richard. The phone number was MIT 3526. He is also listed in the 1971 phone book.


A photo on Merton Memories, possibly around 1987, shows these premises as occupied by a trophies shop.

According to the history option in Google StreetView, 165 London Road had these occupants:

From 2008 to 2012 : Final Touch – Tattoo and Piercing
From 2014 to present (2018) : Study Skills Learning Centre

Mitcham Building Society

Building society that was at number 173 London Road, CR4 2JB, on the corner with Downe Road.

According to the Building Societies Association Handbook (pdf), the Mitcham Building Society merged with the South Metropolitan Permanent in July 1977 to form the Mitcham & Metropolitan. It also had a branch at 38 Stafford Road, Wallington, SM6 9AA. Transfer was then made to the Sussex County in April 1986.

c. 1987 clip from Merton Memories photo reference Mit_​7_​1-93 copyright London Borough of Merton

Established 1883 according to this account book from 1970:

Account book with a start date of January 1970