I doubt whether much equipment was necessary to do cork-cutting and it was probably a cottage industry for many.
Below is an extract from
http://www.bermondseyspa.org.uk"Industry in Bermondsey Spa
Over the last 250 years, Bermondsey Spa has seen some radical changes. At the start of the 19th century, the area was mostly agricultural land. Following this, food processing and leather industries were important in the area. The biggest industry was leather, dominated by two large tanneries - Grange Tannery and Neckinger Mills.
The Bermondsey riverfront was known as London's Larder due to the volume of foods unloaded and stored. Numerous household names were processed in the area but none remain.
Courages (beer) - Horsleydown Lane
Crosse & Blackwell (pickles) - Crimscott Street
Hartleys (jams) - Tower Bridge Road
Jacobs (biscuits) - Wolseley Street
Pearce & Duffs (custard) - Spa Road
Peek Freans (biscuits) - Drummond Road
Sarsons (vinegar) - Tower Bridge Road
Spillers (dog biscuits) - Jacob Street
As the river became an increasingly important trading centre, business boomed. Slowly, the area became more urban, with the construction of workers accommodation, until by the mid-19th century, Bermondsey Spa had some of the most densely packed, unhealthy living and working conditions in London.
Civic pride
It was also developing a sense of identity and civic pride. In 1881 Bermondsey Town Hall was built, along with schools, a library and public baths. Volunteer organisations and philanthropic individuals attempted to alleviate the growing poverty, most notably Alfred Salter who provided food, clothing, education and medical services, as well as planting trees and encouraging new businesses.
In the early part of the 20th century, Bermondsey Council embarked on a major programme to improve the area, building new housing, planting more than 6,000 trees and creating Bermondsey Spa gardens........."
