When the Romans arrived in 43 AD, primitive bridges over the River Thames and Colne already existed, and it believed that this is the basis for the Romans naming Staines "Ad Pontes" which means "The Bridges". Upon settling in the town a new Roman wooden bridge was then built and it is believed that this bridge may have survived up until 1808.
It was the River Thames and the proximity to London which originally attracted the Romans to Staines, together with the geological make-up of the area (the flat gravel beds provided solid foundations for roads and bridges across the rivers). Throughout the ages, it is these factors that have shaped Staines into the main residential, commercial, industrial and leisure focus for the Borough.
Staines developed into a prosperous market town throughout the middle Ages and because of the flat, fertile surrounding land there was a strong, rural farming community throughout the centuries. In the 19th Century, however, industry arrived in force, mainly accelerated by the arrival of the railway in 1848.
The new rail link meant that Staines was in effect closer to London. Whereas the previous main sources of employment had been farming and water powered mills, the fast railways laid the foundation for the town's rapid industrial growth. The conversion of a calico printing works into the Staines Linoleum Company by Frederick Walton heralded the start of a manufacturing industry which put Staines on the map internationally and which provided large-scale employment and economic improvement for generations of local people. Staines Linoleum Company stayed in the town up until the 1970s when the popularity of vinyl floor covering in preference to Linoleum forced the company to move their works to Scotland.
Other major industries which grew from the industrial boom included the Lagonda car works, the Candle Factory, Ashby Brewery, the Harris Brewery and a number of engineering works. The continued excellent communications network offered by Staines with the mainline station, access to the M25 and its adjoining motorways network, and the proximity to Heathrow Airport means that although heavy industrial works have diminished with time and changes in technology, Staines, and indeed the whole Borough, is also an ideal base for commuters and international business people.
In Edwardian times the railway offered day trippers from London the opportunity to spend a day by the river, away from the city smoke, and the beautiful riverside locations throughout Staines and the Borough still attract visitors from far and wide.
One particular building of interest in Staines Town Centre is St. Mary's Church in Church Street, which is believed to have been built on a site originally used for worship by the ancient Druids.
Staines is the central focus, linking the community of Spelthorne. Major redevelopment has transformed the town centre offering extensive shopping, leisure, entertainment and community facilities. Combined with a pedestrianised High Street and CCTV, the town centre has become an attractive, safe, vital and viable centre for users, visitors, businesses and retailing. It will also encourage new opportunities for cultural community facilities and new business. Graphical Version l
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