London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Finsbury 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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SECTION A.
| Area of the Borough (acres). | 587 |
| Population 1961 census | 32,887 |
| Population Density | 56 |
| Rateable Value 31.3.62. | £2,981,711 |
| Product of a penny rate (1961/2) | £11,600 |
| General rate 1961/62 | 17/4d |
Finsbury, one of Londons 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 devastated
areas. A feature of post war development has been the erection of
large blocks of modern flats.