The building that is now the theatre was once the stables and timber store for the original London Omnibus Company which was founded by George Shillibeer in 1829. He had seen the omnibus operating successfully in Paris and was inspired to do the same in London. In effect, Shillibeer was responsible for creating the first regular bus service in England. Before that, the only public transport available in London was the stagecoach, which was expensive, and could only carry up to ten people inside and out. Shillibeer’s omnibus could carry twenty-two passengers and was drawn by three horses. He boasted it offered a safer and more comfortable ride than ordinary stage coaches as all passengers would ride inside. Many people referred to the omnibuses simply as ‘shillibeers’.