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5
SECTION A
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
General
Area of the Borough (acres) 587
Population, 1951 census 35,370
Population Density 60
Rateable Value (31.3.56) £1,053,941
Product of a penny rate (1955/1956) £4,143
General rate (1955/1956) 23s.
Finsbury, one of London's 28 Metropolitan boroughs is situated
in Central London.
The Borough as a whole is built up and congested and possesses
very few open spaces; all of which are small in size.
A large part of the Borough, particularly in the South East, is
essentially industrial and the day population of the Borough has been
estimated as between 150,000 and 200,000
The industries accommodated are very varied and include, besides
the clock and watch trade which has been associated with Clerkenwell
for many years, the scientific and optical instrument making, jewellery
printing and clothing trades.
The residential parts of the Borough are mainly working class in
character.
During the late war Finsbury suffered the loss of many factories
warehouses, and offices, especially in the Eastern part of the Borough
and there still exist many bombed sites. Residential property also
suffered considerable damage.
The rateable value has steadily increased since 1951 when it was
£956.228 consequent on rebuilding of war damaged properties and of
devastated areas. A feature of post-war development has been the
erection of large blocks of modern flats.