Ethel Dickens operated her typing business from this location from sometime in 1897 until sometime in 1900 or 1901. In the Electoral Register of 1897, she lists her place of work and her place of habitation as the same: 21 Tavistock Street. In 1898, she moves her place of abode to 91 Philbeach Gardens, sharing a home with Bertha, but her office remains at 21 Tavistock until the turn of the century. Around 1905, she returns to the 21 Tavistock Street premises, though only briefly it seems. That is also a period of time during which she appears to operate two office locations, one at this address and one on the third story of 8 Old Jewry Road, EC.

Sir George Newnes, one of the earliest practitioners and promoters of "new journalism" with his Tit-Bits magazines, and Edward Hudson, a publisher from Southwark, began operating the editorial offices of their periodical Country Life from 20-21 Tavistock Street in 1897, and by 1905-06 the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens had rebuilt these and surrounding premises for their purposes. This may be why Ethel's stay in this office was relatively short-lived compared to her tenure at 3 Tavistock and 26 Wellington streets, and why she does not return to the office space at 21 Tavistock after 1905. Through rebuilding and renumbering of streets in the 20th century, this office location is actually closer to 8 Tavistock Street in current numbering.