During the latter part of the 19th century Lewisham developed into a major shopping centre, serving both its new population and the surrounding districts.

The two principal businesses, both drapers, were Chiesman's and George Stroud, who occupied nearly adjacent premises.

Chiesman's lay on the site of what became the Army and Navy Store. The site is now occupied by the recently constructed Police Station.

Strouds was just to the south of Chiesman's. The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society took over the site in the 1920s and it has subsequently become the site of Yate's Wine Bar.