North End, Hampshire

The area developed rapidly as a part of the city after a horse-drawn tram route was opened between Portsmouth and Cosham.

[1] Many of the houses were originally externally decorated with tiles sourced from the Blackwall Tunnel and some named the street Lavatory Lane as a result.

Laburnum Grove itself was a popular area for Royal Navy officers to live and was also historically referred to as Brass-Button Alley.

[3] The auditorium buildings remained intact, although in extremely poor condition, and planning permission was soon granted to demolish the structure and replace it with new housing.

North End continues to support a wide range of small traders, supermarkets and other retailers, as well as a variety of pubs and budget fast food outlets.

The building was eventually sold to the Barracuda Group in 2004 and reopened as a public house named "The Lanyard" in January 2005, later renamed "The Grapes" and "Antique Bar".