In Pictures: Cubitts new East London store in old eel, pie and mash shop

Last week saw British spectacle maker Cubitts open its 11th London store at 9 Broadway Market in East London’s Hackney, which plays on the history and architecture of the original building – something Cubitts has become known for.

This time it’s a Grade II listed former eel, pie and mash shop, called F. Cooke, and the restoration captures the original features fitted in the 1930s.

The features include glazed white and cream tiles with mirror panels, terrazzo floors and walls, stained glass windows and tiled counter, as well as marble countertop and shelves that were originally used to display eels on ice.

Tom Broughton, Founder of Cubitts, commented: “I'm tremendously proud to announce the opening of Cubitts Broadway Market, in one of Hackney's most iconic buildings at 9 Broadway Market. It was the home of F. Cooke for more than 120 years, and we've worked with locally-based EBBA architects to ensure it has been sensitively returned to its former glory.

“With an exceptionally complete 1930s interior, we retained the glorious original signage, renewed the marble tables and counters - which once displayed fresh eels - and revived the terrazzo flooring, with tramline borders. There’s also Art Deco sunburst stained-glass windows and white-tiled walls with inset mirror panels.

“It's our hope that Cubitts Broadway Market isn't just a shop, but becomes an integral part of the community for as long as we're custodians of this exemplary building.”

To mark the opening of the store, Cubitts has launched a new limited edition collection dedicated to Broadway Market, taking inspiration from surrounding buildings, natural spaces and F. Cooke.

The frames include ‘Cooke’, inspired by a pre-Civil War design from the 1860s in the US, and the pie and mash shop itself. The hexagonal lens shape gives a nod to the past, while the modern addition of a crank bridge and beta titanium temples “bring the frame firmly into the present”.

Another new frame is called ‘Orwell’, inspired by the iconic eyewear of George Orwell who lived nearby and frequented The Dove pub on Broadway Market. The acetate frame features a deep square shape with rounded curves, and thin lugs and temples. Again, with a nod to the past, the frame captures the essence of early 20th Century style “while maintaining a modern edge”.

A third frame is named ‘Starburst’, an experimental addition inspired by the “starburst” stained glass window of the original building. It’s completed with paddle temples, inspired by the shapes on the glass - directly created by the light going through the front cut out.

The limited edition frames are priced at £350.00 and are exclusively available in the Broadway Market store.

With “community at the heart of the store’s ethos”, Cubitts Broadway Market will also display a collection of ‘East London faces’ - portraits of local spectacle wearers by artist and local Broadway Market resident, Wilfrid Wood.