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  London's Docklands: An Overview  
  by Paul Minor (pminor@pacificnet.net) 
  London’s Docklands contains one of the worst collections of late twentieth-century 
  architecture to be seen anywhere in the world. It is a marvel, if it were not so embarrassing, 
  that so many very bad buildings from the same period can be found in such a comparatively 
  small area of the city.  
  Stephanie Williams,  
  Phaidon Architecture Guide.  
  Home to a diversified crowd, (working class laborers, smugglers, 
  street punks and mobsters) London’s Docklands stretch across both 
  the north and south banks of the Thames River. Warehouse 
  architecture, industrial estate sheds and huge swaths of dereliction 
  dominate this area. In fact the only real landmark is the 800ft tall 
  Canary Wharf tower which, was the tallest building in London 
  until the 1200ft Century Tower was built in the early 2000s. 
  Despite much talk about the Docklands being one of London’s 
  worst failures, the area has actually done quite well. Even the 
  docks themselves which had not been used for shipping since the 
  1970’s are experiencing a pickup in business by small firms who 
  want to transfer cargo to bigger ports in a quicker and safer manner 
  than over land.  
   
  History  
  From the sixteenth century onwards the port of London was the key to the cities wealth. In it’s heyday, the 
  port was crowded with 1700 ships waiting to be unloaded. Its port system was the largest in the world at the 
  time. In the mid 1960s the docks began to see a decline in business as container ships were developed and put 
  into use, and the ports were moved to Tilbury. For two decades the area became a virtual wasteland as all the 
  city docks began to close. In 1981 the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was formed in 
  an effort to rejuvenate the area. By the 90s it was easy to see that this movement was largely unsuccessful. 
  The (LDDC) did manage, however, to bolster the Dockland’s economy somewhat by getting some industry 
  into the area by offering things like 100% tax relief on capital expenditure. In 2006 another attempt was made 
  at kickstarting the economy of the Docklands in the form of The Docklands Reclamation Project. This project 
  was highly successfull at the beginning of its life but eventually fell into bankruptcy, before it did it managed 
  to bring quite a bit of industry into the area. Today the Docklands serve mostly as a warehouse district but has 
  seen an increase in business in the ports. Many firms are now calling for a better transport of a relatively small 
  amount of goods from London to the larger ports. Many companies are now operating this way through use of 
  hovercrafts, small boats and the mini submersibles that are in such wide use in the EEC.  
     
  
  The Isle of Dogs  
  The Isle of Dogs, the small peninsula formed by the dramatic 
  horseshoe bend of the Thames, once the ideological heart of the 
  Docklands and home to the famous Canary Wharf, is now truly 
  and island due to the bombing of the Thames River Barrier 
  slightly to the east. Everything north of the West India Dock is 
  under a foot of murky water and is "officially" uninhabited. Due 
  to this unfortunate incident the area’s Central Enterprise Zone 
  has seen a decline in businesses. Although many of the 
  warehouse owners have moved across the river to Rotherhithe, 
  the major companies who depend on the Wharves for business 
  have preferred to stay here rather than use the smaller Greenland 
  dock across the river. This area is also the area in which 
  England’s native organized crime syndicate, The Firm, calls its 
  headquarters. The Firm is involved in almost all aspects of 
  criminal activity in this area. Despite the fact that all smugglers 
  in the area must pay protection money, they continue to stay 
  because business here is still highly profitable. The island is only 
  accessible by using either the docks by river, the few small 
  tunnels from the south bank or to use the Docklands Light 
  Railway (DLR), a monorail built by the LDDC in the 80s, which 
  runs from the City to The Isle of Dogs.  
     
   Rotherhithe  
  Rotherhithe lies on the south bank of the Thames, directly across from the Isle of Dogs and extends 
  southward. Today, the Rotherhithe area makes up the bulk of the Docklands. It is primarily a vast sprawl of 
  warehouses and other industrial buildings. Its main port is the Greenland Dock which accommodates quite a 
  few small companies. Rotherhithe is usually characterized as a tough area. This is probably an 
  understatement. Rotherhithe is filled with illicit establishments and has a crime rate that continues to rise. The 
  many street gangs inhabit the area are constantly fighting and shootings are as commonplace as afternoon tea. 
  The gangs here are hard to identify as they seldom have fixed colors or turf. Your best bet is to either stay out 
  of the area at night, or pack your shotgun and hope for the best.  
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   Resting on the south bank of  the Thames, directly across  from the South 
  Dock, The  South Bank is a seedy   
  industrial district  characterized by its low rent warehouses, backroom vice 
  dens and frequent gang   
  fights. Don’t forget to pack  your 9mm. 
   
   
     
  #1 North Atlantic Import Co.  
  The North Atlantic Import Co. is a front for a black market 
  smuggling operation dealing in weapons and illegal cyberware. The 
  large warehouse runs onto a finger pier which can accommodate 
  various ships for unloading.  
  #2 Offices of North Atlantic Import  
  This building was converted from an old industrial diving school. 
  This building contains offices of various people including, its 
  proprietor, Reagan F.E. Jackson, who runs a successful black 
  market operation and is currently embroiled in a small war with the 
  Firm. This building also houses Jackson’s dockworkers in dorm 
  style rooms. The complex also includes a helipad for a V-22B 
  Osprey.  
  #3 UK Export Co.  
  A small shipping firm that specializes in shipping cargo, that is 
  considered unsafe to be shipped by land, to the larger ports where it 
  is loaded onto modular cargo vessels.  
  #4 South Pacific Imports  
  This company imports many things from the pacific rim but mostly 
  deals in entertainment such as: videos, music chips, braindance an 
  sometimes even opium.  
  #5 Kao Trucking Enterprises  
  KTE is a trucking firm that bases its operation out of this building. 
  The building includes the office, the dispatch system and garages 
  for the trucks. It is a well known fact that Mr. Kao doesn’t mind 
  making a little money on the side by shipping questionable items for 
  questionable people.  
  #6 Wharf Rat Inn  
  The Wharf rat is a common working class pub. Although it is not 
  known for its cleanliness, it is a popular place for the local 
  dockworkers and toughs. They have a staggering selection of beers, 
  and also serve basket meals.  
  #7 Osgood Electronics  
  Osgood Electronics is a small company in the business of buying 
  and selling large quantities of electronic parts. As a wholesaler 
  Osgood mostly supplies smaller retailers. You can find any sort of 
  electronic part you need here, if you are willing to buy it in bulk.  
  #8 S&M of London  
  Although you wouldn’t know it by its outside appearance, this 
  warehouse houses one of London’s largest and most exotic strip 
  clubs. The interior is illuminated by a blinding array of lasers and 
  neon bounced off the chromed surfaces in the room. The dancers 
  here perform bizarre S&M dances that include healthy doses of 
  leather. This cesspool of vice is a favorite hangout for many of the 
  gangs.  
  #9 Ace Distribution  
  Ace does allot of legitimate distribution, but there allot of things like 
  "medical supplies" that come in through the back door.  
  #10 Thames Courier Service  
  This is the homebase for TCS, a courier service that uses its small 
  fleet of GEB Dusters to transport small packages throughout the city 
  via the river. There is always a multitude of used Dusters for sale 
  through this company.  
  #11 Docklands Real Estate  
  A specialty Realtor dealing only in factory and warehouse space in 
  the Docklands area. Their main office is in the Canary Wharf tower.  
  #12 United Petrol  
  Your average gas station with CHOOH2 and electric charges. Local 
  gangs have been known to give victims the "Full Service" , which 
  entails placing the nozzle in the victims mouth and pumping them 
  full off CHOOH2.  
   
  
  #13 The Clinic  
  This warehouse is home to a black market doctor who fits illegal 
  cyberware and "weapon trauma surgery." Needles to say he gets 
  allot of business from the local gang element.  
   
   
  #14 Class War  
  The home and presses of England’s foremost anarchist publication. 
  Its readership has increased drastically with the growing realization 
  that the new monarchy has no intent of giving the power back to the 
  people. A hub of anarchist activity in London.  
     
    #15 Rotherhithe Storage  
  a conglomeration of storage space for many small businesses.  
   
   New Chinatown- The streets  here are never quiet. Deep within the 
  ethnically segregated ghettos of South London, Triad gangs vie 
  for exclusive control of the rackets, while honest  inhabitants work 
  endless hours to make ends meet. The days here look safe enough, but at 
  night its a  different story.  
   
  History:  
  Far removed from the touristy "Chinatown" north of the Thames, 
  New Chinatown is less a Little China then it is an ethnic ghetto. 
  With Hong Kong's return to communist rule in 1997, the late 90s 
  saw an influx of Chinese people into the UK. Thousands came to 
  London with little money and were forced to move in to decaying 
  housing projects south of the Thames river. This district is the major 
  triad stronghold in London, with at least two major gangs (Lotus 
  Eaters, HK7), and multitudes of smaller less organized ones. Most 
  of the taller buildings in the area are multilevel housing tenements, 
  all of witch are in poor condition.  
     
    #1 Man Wah Chinese Cafe  
  Man Wah is a small Chinese fast food restaurant occupying the first 
  floor of this building. The food here is quite popular but is no where 
  near healthy. The upper two levels house four other businesses 
  including two small nick-knack stores, a tattoo parlor and the office 
  of Jay Lee, Private Detective.  
  #2 Club August  
  This club appears to be your basic low rent bar/dance club but on 
  closer inspection you will find the real reason for the crowd. If you 
  know the right people you can enter the casino in the back of the bar 
  and gamble the night (and all your money) away. The bar is owned 
  by Wong Po, who is the boss of the local Triad group, the Lotus 
  Eaters.  
  #3 Excalibur Inn  
  This is one of the many cubical/coffin hotels owned and operated by 
  the Red Door Inn hotel chain. For £24 a night you can stay in a 
  small cubicle compete with a small folding bed, a small storage 
  locker and a small sink. Or for the even more thrifty, sleep coffins 
  are available for only £12. This flophouse is a magnet for robberies, 
  since there is no security.  
   
  #4 Hong Kong Supermarket  
  Your average Chinese grocery store with fish, vegetables, canned 
  goods etc...  
  #5 Ming’s Fine Oriental Foods  
  A high quality restaurant with a variety of Chinese cuisine. The 
  restaurant caters exclusively to the Chinatown population, and any 
  outsiders will be treated with hostility. Ming’s is considered a 
  "cease fire" area by the local triad gangs, and any sort of rowdiness 
  is simply not tolerated by the owner.  
  #6 A to Z electronics  
  This small building and the parallel structure serve as the storefront 
  and warehouse for this successful enterprise. Upon entering, the 
  customer will see a cluttered mess of parts for all kinds of 
  electronics dating back to the 20th century. The store’s proprietors, 
  Bobby and John Leung, are excellent tech and can fix almost 
  anything you can bring them.  
  
  #7 Chinese Open Air Market  
  One of the land marks of the New Chinatown area is its market. It is 
  your typical outdoor market, with hundreds of fresh food dealers, 
  noodle stands and some of the finest sea food in London. The 
  market is popular with the Chinese and Gwailows (whites) alike.  
  #8 Buddhist Temple  
  Actually, this so called temple is simply a makeshift place of 
  warship in a cramped little building. The owner, Hai Kit Wai, 
  teaches a blend of Buddhism and Taoism. The back room of the 
  temple is lined with hundreds of jars and containers containing 
  various herbs. Hai Kit Wai can usually be found watching an old 
  TV in a closet sized room in the very back.  
  #9 Authentic Oriental Massage  
  Housed in an old hotel, Authentic Oriental Message offers an 
  "authentic" oriental message (surprise, surprise) for £40 an hour. 
  Also available are the popular "stress relief massage", and other 
  "special" services. The building also contains a small tattoo parlor 
  on the first floor and a drug den run by the HK7 Triad on the top 
  floor.  
  #10 Hainan Business Complex  
  An indoor shopping center which contains a large quantity of small 
  shops, most of which are pretty much the same, and none of which 
  are worth mentioning.  
  #11 Tanjin Tea House  
  This popular tea house occupies the bottom two floors of this 
  building. Tanjin is your basic teahouse but also serves small seafood 
  plates. Its decor is modern, and it is laid out into a table section and 
  a "bar" style section. One of its more striking features is the large 
  saltwater aquarium running the length of the bar. It is from this 
  aquarium that most of the seafood entrees are prepared. The Tanjin 
  Tea House is a popular spot with local triads, who do business here 
  frequently.  
  #12 Low Rent Flats  
  This is one of the many multilevel housing projects left over from 
  the building spree in the early 1960s. This particular one is owned 
  by a Spanish slumlord, who is currently at war with the Triads over 
  ownership of this building. The building is filled with hard working 
  people as well as with brothels, drug dens and other illicit 
  establishments.  
  #13 The Sea Breeze  
  This tacky looking bar, with its light blue exterior and its 
  multicolored wave logo, is actually one of the best bars in the area. 
  It features live jazz nightly and the coldest drinks in town. A great 
  place to wind down after a hard day.  
  #14 Strip Mall  
  A small strip mall containing a Laundromat, a hair salon and a 
  liquor store.  
  #15 Ng’s Market Pharmacy  
  Robert Ng is a local pharmacist who uses his drug store as a cover 
  for his ripperdoc practice. He is the man most triad thugs see after 
  getting wounded in a street fight. Ng’s is not considered a "cease 
  fire" area and the local gangs have been known to drag certain 
  patients back out into to the street to finish the job. Needless to say 
  Ng asks for his payment up front.  
  #16 Shopping Complex  
  This shopping complex contains the following:  
  Hong Kong Video is a basic Chinese video store. They have tons of 
  current releases, old releases and  
  braindace. If you talk to the right people you can get the newest 
  illegal braindance including porn and snuff.  
  The building also contains a convenience store and a pawn shop.  
  #17 Starcade  
  An arcade with both regular games and braindance versions. 
  Popular with youths everywhere. The owner is said to have a side 
  career as a black-marketer.  
  #18 News +  
  A newsstand carrying entirely Asian publications. The owner, Wong 
  Lin, is a good source of information if you are Chinese.  
  #19 Chin’s Motor Works  
  Chin specializes in fixing all sorts of motorcycles and scooters, but 
  is also quite handy when it comes to cars. Chin will also help you 
  "unload" any "extra" motorcycles you may have acquired.  
  #20 Kar-wai Imports  
  Run by an older Chinese couple, this establishment deals in 
  imported eastern goods.  
  #21 Warehouse Complex  
  What more is there to say.  
  #22 Water Treatment Plant  
  This facility was once used to treat and store water for the area. 
  After a newer facility was built to the west, this one was abandoned. 
  Its anybody’s guess what goes on here after dark.  
  #23 Good Luck Family Grocery  
  Good Luck is a mediocre connivance store with a large liquor 
  section. It has been busted several times for selling hard core porn to 
  minors.  
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Cyberpunk/Unofficial/Datafortress 2020 Archives/Cyberpunk 2020 - Net - Places - The London Docklands by Paul Minor.pdf