The street was developed by and named for Sir Christopher Hatton. It is London's jewellery quarter and the centre of the UK diamond trade. This specialism grew up in the early 19th century spreading from its more ancient centre in Clerkenwell to the north.
This photograph, dated 1929, shows jewellers examining valuable stones. The explains that until WW2 business was conducted in a cafe or on the street. This sounds very risky - you could drop a diamond down a drain gully, or what about snatch-and-run theft? Also, prior to WW2 Hatton Garden was mainly concerned with manufacturing for the wholesale market. After the war many jewellery shops opened in the street, catering to the retail trade (all those engagement rings).
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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