*Historical* This distinctive purpose-built gas showroom (now the British Heart Foundation) is on a busy junction in Wallington on the corner of Woodcote Road and Stanley Park Road.
Gas was big business when this showroom opened sometime between the late 1920s and early 1930s.
It’s a building reminiscent of warmer climes (architectural style is most likely Spanish Colonial Revival), making it a helpful selling tool.
With the invention of the oven thermostat in 1923, quick and efficient home cooking was coming to the masses. What seems so ordinary today was revolutionary back then. And this building is a fascinating reminder of that time in our history.
In the old photo you can see there was a wide range of appliances on display. They would have had everything from gas irons to gas-powered radios. Customers could also go in store to pay their bills. Ironically though, the building appears to have been fitted with wood/coal-powered fire places.
There’s a sweeping stone staircase inside. You can still see some ornate iron work, windows, doors and fireplaces. The building was designed by Alfred Douglas Robinson (1888 – 1963). The building is now Grade 2 listed.
Did you know there was once a Carshalton Gas Company? In 1894 this amalgamated with the Croydon Commercial Gas and Coke Co and in 1904 became simply the Croydon Gas Company.
By 1938 the gas showroom had opened here, at 120 Woodcote Road.
In 1949 the Croydon Gas Company became known as Segas.
🗝 Before the gas showroom, there was a grand old Victorian building here. As of 1927 it was listed as Wallington High School for Boys. Before this, at the time of the old photo it was known as Wallington Grammar School (not connected to the current county grammar school). Probably even earlier than this, it was known as The Modern School Annexe – the main school being on the opposite corner, where the car showroom now is.
Research and current pics: Secret Carshalton 2022. Old school photo, thanks to Chris Pocock. Grade 2 listed details.
Someone mentioned there being a ‘ballroom’ upstairs. Gas companies were sociable places. Ring a bell with anyone?