This area was primarily orchards and tenter grounds until the 1770s when development began due to the opening of Blackfriars Bridge in 1769.

On a map of 1760 Union Street (originally Charlotte Street) was dotted on the map running west from Duke Street (now Union Street continuing to the east).

Gambia Street seems to have been named in combination with Scoresby Street. Gambia Street was William Street and Scoresby Street was Pitt Street - both after the Prime Minister.

On Horwood’s map of 1799 (not illustrated), Charlotte Street (now Union Street) and William Street (Gambia Street) were shown for the first time. Residential buildings were on the frontage of William Street with commercial block leading onto Charlotte Street. The 1821 Gardner map shows Little Charlotte Street and William Street and a hat manufacturer.

The renaming to Gambia Street occurred during the name reorganisation by the Post Office in 1892.

The pedestrianised section stretching north, and formerly part of Gambia Street, was officially renamed Marion’s Way during 2021 in honour of the late local resident and advocate, Marion Marples, who passed away in 2019.