1950-1959

The 1950s was a prosperous decade. Record quantities of imports and exports passed through London's docks. The reconstruction effort was in full swing. Skilled labour was now being actively recruited from  Commonwealth countries and was helping build and staff London's new hospitals, houses and schools.

Growing affluence brought a new assertiveness to young Londoners who looked to America for models of behaviour and music. Disaffected 'juvenile delinquents' became a problem group, particularly in 1958 when the growing West Indian community in Notting Hill came under attack from rampaging youth gangs.  

London's population, 1951

Greater London:  8,193,921 people 
Inner London:  3,347,982 people

London's economy and jobs

Manufacturing firms flourished during the 1950s, particularly those making consumer goods such as televisions, washing machines and radios.  'White collar' jobs were on the increase as an office boom brought over 50,000 new jobs to London and service took a bigger share of London’s  overall economy.

By the 1950s services accounted for 51% of London’s economy, manufacturing accounted for 42%. Women benefited most from the new office jobs. During the 1950s women came to outnumber men in London's offices, for the first time ever.

London events

1950 Stone of Destiny stolen from Westminster Abbey by Scots nationalists
1951 Festival of Britain
1952 London smog kills 4,000 Londoners from respiratory diseases
1953 the Coronation
1958 Notting Hill riots

London buildings

1951 Royal Festival Hall
1959 First Sikh temple in Southall

London travel

1952 last trams run in London
1957 Lewisham Train crash, 92 people die when 2 trains collide in the fog
1958 First parking meters appear in Mayfair
1958 New world record for a London to New York flight: just under 8 hours
1959 M1 motorway opens