The site of the Al Hamra restaurant has many interesting bygone associations being situated in Shepherd Market, affectionately known as the village of Mayfair. Since 1735, Shepherd market as the name suggests, was the centre for a market with tiny paved alleyways, coach houses and a duck pond, built by a local builder and architect named Edward Shepherd. In May of each year, a fair was held much to the annoyance of the aristocratic residents nearby. In the days before the existence of the Police, the rowdy event was very difficult to control and was finally banned. Edward Shepherd then set about reconstructing the area, building a two-storey market house with shops below and a great room above to be used as a Theatre. During the month of May, the Theatre opened and attracted aristocracy nearby, so much so, that the surrounding area became known as Mayfair, as we know it today.