Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?

[ShaunJ]

It appears that Solomon Simons moved his business to 113 Mare Street sometime between 1905 and 1910. 

[Jean McGurn]

That seems to clinch the location - Mare St sometime between 1905-1915. Well done all the sleuths.

Of course that still leaves the question of what was the hole for?

Jean

[Redroger]

Mare Street would fit nicely on the street plaque on the wall immediately to the RHS of the foreman.

[ShaunJ]

Mare Street would fit nicely on the street plaque on the wall immediately to the RHS of the foreman

Yes the street nameplate is in more or the less the same place in the 1971 photo too, and in Google Streetview

[Redroger]

Definitely, a pity the original small street name plaque had not survived, looking around quite a few seem to have done I have noticed when in London, specially in the Clerkenwell area.

[Harrisons]

anything similar in this picture.  c.1900 workman culverting hackney brook under Mare Street??

[Redroger]

My guess is that this new photo was taken further down the road, on what seems to be the straight part at the rear of the gangs photographed.

[pressingon]

The one odd thing, to my mind, is that there are no spades or picks in evidence.

I think the same whenever I pass roadworks - maybe somethings don't change 

Wonderful photo and great work to identify the location
Pat

[Keith Sherwood]

Simply incredible...
Well done everyone who's helped on this thread!  Perhaps someone will come up next with a definitive answer to the question: "Why The Hole?"
keith
p.s. "Isn't there a song from the Sixties or so about digging a hole...?