Sponge Merchant

[SteveHB]

"Unusual shop front with a fine display of sponges."

https://www.ebay.co.uk

[Edmund]

Barnett Alexander was a British subject born in Russia, as was his wife Hannah. Their chamois and sponge business was underway at 131 Queen street in 1901 and still there in 1911 along with the Alexanders. Barnett died on 1st April 1921, however the business continued under Barnett's name, and moved to premises at 31 West Bar in February 1928. So the man in the photograph isn't Mr.Alexander. In May 1930 David Fink, sponge merchant of 31 West Bar, trapped a burglar by standing on the cellar grate, so the proprietor in the photograph is probably Mr Fink.  He was still running the sponge business there in 1939.