In February 1996 Nik was commisioned to shoot a photo-essay on Brick Lane in east London.

He had previously shot a story on the Brick Lane Music Hall. The client wanted him to broaden the story to encompass the wider area of Brick Lane itself.

Brick Lane has always been an important area for immigrants, from the Hugenots to the Jewish incomers at the turn of the 20th century, and more recently the Bangladeshis, Kashmiris and Somalis. It is a melting pot of cultures that cross over and replace one another.

In this photo-essay Nik tried to give people a flavour of the place. From its countless curry houses to the famous Beigel Bake, and from the wonders of the Sunday market to prayers at the mosque.