The Shaftesbury Park Estate was the most publicised and widely discussed housing experiment of its day. Built between 1872 and 1877, it was the first major development of the Artizans, Labourers and General Dwellings Company, founded by a band of working men and supported by philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury. The aim of the new estate, promoted as the 'Workmen's City', was not only to create healthy and affordable housing, but also a community spirit by the provision of meeting rooms, schools and open space - but no pubs.
This house, originally a two-up-two-down cottage, soon became a newsagent and tobacconist. A shopfront was installed and the workshop behind was fitted up as a barber's shop - a common pairing at the time.