Nic,

Further to my relative the tripe dresser he was at 88 Ratcliffe Highway from at least 1837 to 1847. One of his daughters was in and out of the workhouse/infirmiary with a sexual disease. His brother also had a tripe shop further east where the same road was called Shadwell High Street. Various brothers and cousins were in the same business in Bethnal Green and Lambeth.
Looking at my write-up on my family research I came across the following:

Ratcliff Highway was for many years a notorious street, being close to the docks it was full of sailors, drinking houses, prostitution and gambling and general mayhem and crime. Many men “joined” the navy or army here with the help of a recruiting sergeant or ship’s crew and a little alcohol. Ratcliff Highway is “celebrated” in an old folk song of that name. Because of it’s notoriety the name was changed to George Street but has now reverted to The Highway and is a busy route to and from Docklands which is now largely residential and high rise office buildings housing banking institutions)
In 2012 it appears that the banks have now taken over not only the area but the gambling and stealing. Is it time to re-name it again?

I hope this helps you a little.