James Gray: A good, if somewhat indistinct photograph of Chapman’s Carpet Beating and Cleaning works, later also a Laundry. This is an earlier photograph than those seen on the succeeding page, as the rough nature of the ground indicates, while there is no sign of the chimney beyond the railway line, built in 1903 for the Hove Electric Light Co. It may have been taken soon after the building was erected in 1895. jgc_16_008
2018: Westbourne Street was later built perpendicular to the works, obscuring the majority of the building, and leaving only the western end, which resembles a house, visible as 1 Arthur Street, seen in images jgc_16_010 and 011 below. The site of the works is now occupied by Tintagel Court flats.(Photographer: Mathia Davies)
James Gray: Photograph of the fire at Chapman’s Laundry, 1 Arthur Street, 17 April 1904. These premises were built in 1895 and have always been used as a laundry until quite recently. jgc_16_011
2018: The view looking north to the top of Westbourne Street. 1 Arthur Street has been replaced by Tintagel Court flats. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)
James Gray: This photograph shows the restored building after the fire, in 1907. Now, in 1962, the premises are under reconstruction for some other use. jgc_16_010
2018: The laundry at 1 Arthur Street has now been replaced by Tintagel Court flats. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)
James Gray: For comparison only, the small photograph of 1964 shows what replaced the old building, and also shows the chimney which had ten more years of life, being removed in 1974. jgc_16_009
2018: Halsey’s were wholesale radio factors. The buildings have been replaced by Tintagel Court flats on the right. The back of Pendragon Court can be seen on the left (west). (Photographer: Mathia Davies)
James Gray: Not many photographs are taken of streets and buildings in this unfashionable part of Hove. There are many such streets as this. Most are unchanged externally since their erection in the late 1890s and probably they will remain so for about another fifty years. Here are six houses of the period which provide a good example Nos 15-25, Arthur Street (looking east). Although built for residential use, many were used as small hand laundries, this street from the start being notable for this trade. Photographed 8 July 1973. jgc_16_012
2018: James Gray’s guess was wrong! The entire north side of the street, with all odd house numbers, was demolished and replaced with flats.
James Gray: View from the east. Built late 1890s and demolished early in 1974. jgc_16_013
2018: The laundry has been demolished. Housing, right up to the railway, and a new street, Pendragon Court, have been built. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)