Often overlooked but impossible to miss, Staples Corner is one of London’s busiest junctions — a place where roads, retail and rail all converge. Located within Brent Cross, this unassuming area has played a surprisingly central role in shaping the capital’s modern landscape.
Read on to discover the hidden past behind one of North West London’s busiest junctions — including the history of Brent Cross Station, the shopping centre, and how this once-quiet corner became a commercial powerhouse.
Quick, surprising facts about Brent Cross and Staples Corner
- Staples Corner is named after a 1920s mattress factory, Staples & Co.
- Brent Cross Shopping Centre was the UK’s first fully enclosed, American‑style mall.
- Brent Cross Station opened in 1923 as “Brent Station”.
- The shopping centre was built on the site of a former greyhound stadium.
- One of London’s busiest coaching stops, the Welsh Harp Inn once welcomed travellers near today’s Brent Cross.
Tracing Brent Cross History Through the Rise of Staples Corner
Before Brent Cross was a retail hub and major motorway interchange, it was a scattered patchwork of villages linked by muddy roads and coaching inns. What we now call Staples Corner started life in the early 1800s as a key crossroads for horse-drawn travel — long before motorways or megamalls were even imagined.
One of the most notable stops in the area was the Welsh Harp coaching inn, located beside the vast Brent Reservoir. Travellers would rest here overnight to avoid the dangers of approaching London after dark. The area, still rural and dotted with farmland, offered fresh horses, food and shelter — vital for long-distance journeys between what would later become parts of Brent Cross and central London.
As the city expanded in the 19th century, Brent’s landscape began to shift. The rise of road transport meant that junctions like the one near the Welsh Harp became increasingly important. Eventually, this spot would become Staples Corner — but not before earning its name from something a little more unexpected.
In 1926, a luxury mattress factory named Staples & Co. opened just off the busy route. Known for its high-quality beds, the brand gave the area a reputation for craftsmanship, and ultimately lent its name to the junction itself. Though the factory closed after a takeover in 1986, the name stuck — and Staples Corner became a recognised fixture in the history of Brent Cross.
The most dramatic change came in the 1970s. As motorway traffic increased, the historic Welsh Harp inn was demolished in 1971 to make way for new infrastructure. By 1977, Staples Corner was connected to the M1 motorway — marking the official end of its coaching inn past and the beginning of its modern identity as one of London’s busiest intersections. Today, more than 140,000 vehicles cross Staples Corner daily, making it one of the most travelled points in North West London.
Brent Cross Shopping Centre History: London’s First Standalone Mall
What is now Brent Cross Shopping Centre was once the site of Hendon Greyhound Stadium — a buzzing venue for dog racing and betting between the 1930s and 1960s.
After betting laws changed in 1961, crowd numbers plummeted, and the stadium eventually closed — freeing up a prime development site in North West London.
In 1976, that space was transformed into Brent Cross Shopping Centre, built alongside the newly connected M1 motorway and Staples Corner junction. Designed with the modern car traveller in mind, it was the UK’s first fully enclosed, out-of-town shopping mall — an American-style concept never seen before in London. With indoor walkways, dedicated parking and a carefully curated mix of stores, it redefined shopping for a new era.
Launched with John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Fenwick — all still trading today — the centre introduced over 910,000 square feet of retail space to Brent. It didn’t just replace a racetrack; it reshaped how London shops.
Brent Cross Station Through the Years
Long before retail parks and motorway traffic defined the area, Brent Cross Station was already keeping locals connected. Opened in November 1923 as Brent Station, it was named after the nearby River Brent and built to serve what was then a quiet, rural stretch of Edgware.
Today, it sits on the Northern line, linking Brent Cross directly to central London and beyond. Part of the iconic London Underground network — with over 250 miles of track and 272 stations — the stop helped lay the groundwork for the area’s transformation from village outskirts to commercial hub.
Though simple in origin, Brent Cross Station remains a vital part of daily life for commuters, shoppers and businesses across North West London.
Modern Staples Corner: An Industrial and Commercial Hub
Today, Staples Corner and Brent Cross form a thriving hub of industry, commerce and transport in North West London. As the southern gateway of the M1, it’s the final stop for thousands of daily commuters — and a strategic location for anyone looking to start or grow a business .
With strong transport links, established retail, and a growing business community, Brent Cross offers both opportunity and convenience for residents and entrepreneurs alike. Whether you’re launching a new venture or relocating to the area, you’ll find a wide range of services at your doorstep — including direct access to our self storage facility nearby, the perfect solution for keeping your home or business clutter-free as you settle in.
Posted on 13th August 2025 by Shanaiqua Desa
