Newby’s Ice Store stood on the north bank of the canal in the 1860s, between what’s now the football pitch and the canal walk. Ice was used to keep food fresh during transport and in shops. Imported mainly from Norway, it was delivered along the canal by horse-drawn barges to Newby’s store, where it was stored in ice wells deep below the level of the canal.
They also owned the terrace of houses in Neate St, 180-194. Ice started to be imported from abroad, particularly Norway. A number of ice wells, such as the one that stood on the banks of the Grand Surrey Canal, were dug to receive and store it until it was wanted by customers. Ice was delivered to homes and businesses by horse-drawn carts. The ‘ice-man’ would chip off a block the size you wanted. Ice was stored in shops in large walk-in cupboards. The natural ice trade began to decline at the end of 19th and the start of the 20th century, when it began to be produced in factories.
- Grand Surrey Canal,Newby & Co Ice Store near Neate Street.
- Grand Surrey Canal, Carting ice, c1850. >>>>>>>>>>