Front elevations of a terrace of shops at 32-42 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. The street runs parallel to The Strand and was originally part of York Street, which was renamed and renumbered in 1937. The four-storey buildings were erected in the early-eighteenth century and initially used solely for residential accommodation. Alterations were made in the early-nineteenth century to create ground-floor shops. A stone rectangular date tablet can be seen on the parapet between numbers 34 and 36. Although not legible in the image, it is inscribed, "Yorke Street 1636" and is thought to be the oldest road sign in London. The street is close to the former Covent Garden flower and fruit market. Five ground-floor shops are occupied by flower wholesalers; in order they are: T. Poupart, H. Miles, Philip Ladds, J. Collingridge and Aaron Porter and Sons Ltd. Number 42 is trading as "Gem" cafe. The first floor of number 36 is trading as N. and S. Gentlemen's Hairdressers with signs advertising haircutting, shampooing and shaving. On the second floor is wholesale florist, A. A. Fincham and Son Ltd. Two wooden flower barrows can be seen. A milk churn is outside the cafe and a street lamp is in view. Number 32 is Grade II listed, listing number 1234457. Numbers 34-38 are Grade II listed, listing number 1066231. Numbers 40-42 are Grade II listed, listing number 1276087. The buildings remain today with different businesses now trading there. Number 36 now has a blue plaque commemorating the author, Thomas de Quincey, who lived there in 1821.