1965 to 1979
the history of Leyton and Leytonstone
from . dot to … dots – with plenty of spaces
The first restaurants offering the exotic cooking of China and the Indian subcontinent
arrived around 1964. H Weng opened about this time at 554 Leytonstone High Road.
Between 1966 and 1969 Koh Seng opened at number 639, Foo Chow at 535 and the Bombay
Restaurant at 595. In Leyton High Road the Pings Chinese restaurant opened at number
70 between 1966 and 1969, and at 773 Leyton High Road Lucky Garden, and the Golden
City at 2 Hainault Buildings. The Shahee-Mohol restaurant opened at 380 Lea Bridge
Road 1965-66 and in 1969 Sundo at 197 Lea Bridge Road. The ‘Spice Centre’ selling
ingredients opened at 374 Leytonstone High Road at some time between 1966 and 1969
1.
1 Post Office Directories
A large proportion of the poorer areas of Leyton were rebuilt and in the process
the population changed, with many people originating in former British colonies.
For many community life meant the life of their ethnic community, for some an extended
family with relations in the same household and living nearby. Mosques and Christian
churches were established with membership drawn from one ethnic connection. These
could offer a full and strong community life for members. To reach a sustainable
congregation a church might draw on a wider area for membership, taking advantage
of widespread car ownership as well as public transport.