Bromley

Bromley is a district located in south-east London, England that is 9.3 miles south-east of Charing Cross. Bromley is the administrative headquarter of London Borough of Bromley. It is also known as a major metropolitan centre in London Plan.

Since 1158 Bromley was historically a market town and an old parish in the county of Kent. Its location on the opening of the railway station and a coaching route in 1858 was the major key to its development and economic history of Bromley. In the 20th century, it was part of the Suburban growth of London, Bromley rapidly increased its population. Outside central London, this town has developed into a handful of regionally significant retail and commercial district and has formed the part of Greater London since 1965.

History

In the charter of 862, this town was first recorded, and it means ‘Woodland clearing where broom grows’. History of this city is closely linked with See of Rochester. In 862 Ethelbert, king of Kent gave this land to construct Manor of Bromley. Until 1845, this was held by Bishops of Rochester, when Coles Child who was a philanthropist and local merchant bought Bromley Palace (now called the hub of Bromley Civic Centre) and became lord of the manor. This town was considered as an important coaching stop. Now Royal Bell Hotel is known to in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Until the arrival of the railway in 1858 in Shortlands, this town was a rural village. This railway led to the rapid growth and outer suburban districts like Bickley were developed to include those who wish to live close to London.

Bromley was also referred as Bromley St Peter and St Paul. Parish adopted Local Government Act 1858 and in 1867 local board was established. In 1894 board was reconstituted as Bromley Urban District Council and later parish became Bromley Urban District. It formed part of London Traffic Area from 1924 and 1933 London Passenger Transport Area. According to the county review order in 1934, Borough was expanded by taking 1894 acres land from disbanded Bromley Rural District.

Governance

Bromley forms part of Chislehurst Parliament Constituency and London European Parliament Constituency. Present MP is Bob Neill. London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley constituency is James Cleverly, in which town is located. Most prominent of MP was former Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.