James Gray: Black Lion Street in the 1970s used for little else than car parking. What was left of the Floral Hall and the 1889 buildings beyond remained for a few more years, a dreary eyesore until finally being cleared away to make for the new Ramada Hotel. Additional Information: Note the milk float: Holes of Davigdor Dairies. jgc_08_042
James Gray: These [jgc_08_053 on the Ship Street page and 054] are recent copies of two quite old originals. The view is of the Black Lion Street entrance to the Market (1834-1900), and adjoining buildings. Judging by the empty spaces due to demolitions, this could date from about 1890. Additional Information: © Philippe Garner. jgc_08_054
2019: The Market opened in 1830 and was demolished in 1900. In 1900-01 it was rebuilt by borough engineer Francis May in a red-brick and terracotta design in three sections slightly to the north of the original building.
James Gray: These dilapidated houses were not part of the original Black Lion Street, but were probably early Victorian. At first they were occupied as private houses, but since 1862 No 3 had been a public house, named The British Rifleman. The adjoining property was for many years a fishmonger’s shop and later a restaurant. Derelict since the 1939-1945 War, they were demolished in 1951. jgc_08_067
2019: A victim of countless redevelopments over the last forty years little of architectural value remains in what was once one of Brighton’s oldest streets. These scruffy trade entrances to a seafront restaurant are all that remain on this site today. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: See caption for jgc_08_067 above. Additional Information: Note some early graffiti on the walls and the Old Ship Hotel garage. jgc_08_068
2019: See caption above for jgc_08_067. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Taken from the south end of the street, this photograph shows Ye Olde Thatched House which was demolished during the following year, 1937. This Inn which adjoined the Market & Floral Hall dated from the 18th century. There was a right of way from Market Street to Black Lion Street, through this house dating from the time when it formed part of a route taken by fishermen from Pool Valley to West Street, in rough weather when the sea front was impassable. jgc_08_069
2019: Looking north up Black Lion Street from the seafront – hardly an inspiring view for any passing tourist along what was once one of Brighton’s oldest streets. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: As it appeared before the roof was raised and the dormer windows removed. The premises originally consisted of three small tenements later converted to one building. Portions of the outer walls in Black Lion Street and Lane are from the original tenements and are probably exceeded in age only by St Nicholas Church. jgc_08_070
James Gray: This photograph of No 7 Black Lion Street was taken at some time between 1888 and 1891. An interesting photograph as showing the residential character of the neighbourhood at that time. There would be no need of a grocer’s shop in Black Lion Street in 1954! Additional Information: Possibly the three brothers who ran their business Dudeney Bros. and Corderoy outside the shop. jgc_08_071
James Gray: Black Lion Street in the 1970’s was used for little else than car parking. What was left of the Floral Hall and the 1889 buildings beyond remained for a few more years, a dreary eyesore until finally being cleared away to make for the new Ramada Hotel. jgc_08_042
James Gray: This photograph is very similar to the small one on the previous page [jgc_08_070] and I should say of nearly the same period. The Estate Agents’ Notice Boards provide us with a slender clue, for it was in 1902 that Parson & Son opened their office at No 43a Dyke Road. Probably the photograph dates from a year or two later. Additional Information: The Cricketers Public House to the right of the photograph remains somewhat unchanged. jgc_08_072
James Gray: The entrance to Black Lion Brewery – 1912. It was at about this time that Fremlins, the Brewers, acquired the premises from the Rock Brewery. Note the ancient flint walls, almost certainly dating from the 16th century. jgc_08_073
2019: See caption for jgc_08_072 above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: View from within the courtyard, looking into Black Lion Street 1912, showing the later addition to the old flint buildings. Additional Information: Note the old lantern over the open door. jgc_08_074
2019: The original brewery buildings were demolished and redeveloped between 1969 and 1974 and nothing remains of the original courtyard.
James Gray: It is hard to determine when it was that the two houses, No 12 and 13, became the tavern called The Brewery Shades. In the 1850s they were still private houses, by the 1860s they were occupied as a Wine and Spirit Merchants, and it seems likely that in the next decade a full licence was obtained. The lower photograph is interesting because it mentions Rock Ales, suggesting that at one period it was owned by Rock Brewery. Photographed on 9 September 1973, the buildings were demolished in the following year. jgc_08_075
2019: The Brewery Shades pub was demolished in 1973 and Moore House which was completed in 2009 stands on the site today. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: See caption for jgc_08_075 above. jgc_08_076
2019: See caption above for jgc_08_075. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: See caption for jgc_08_075 above. jgc_08_077
2019: See caption above for jgc_08_075. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: These two photographs [jgc_08_078 and 079] show the east side of this ancient street, as it was in 1899 or possibly 1900. The one above [jgc_08_078] provides a splendid view of the famous Thatched House Inn. In both pictures can be seen the entrance to the Market building which ran through to Market Street. The gap in the buildings is where demolition had started which was to clear several, to make way for the Floral Hall, erected and opened in 1900. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_08_078
James Gray: See caption for jgc_08_078 above. jgc_08_079
2019: The east side of Black Lion Street in 2019. The Floral Hall was closed in 1938 after the Circus Street replacement building opened, and was demolished and converted into a car park in 1940, although the Market Street façade remained until the construction of Bartholomew Square in 1984-87. Situated at No 22 Black Lion Street, the Thatched House Inn just survived both the original market and subsequent Floral Hall before being demolished in 1939. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: This photograph of a much later period is of buildings on the west side of Black Lion Street, showing the Brighton Duty Free Warehouse. Taken during the 1890s, the exact year is unknown. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_08_094
2019: E Robins and Sons were at Nos 9-10 Black Lion Street and there was a bonded warehouse (albeit with different proprietors) on the spot until 1968 when the area was subject to redevelopment.
James Gray: Three photographs of not so long ago [08_100 and 101 plus, on the Bartholomew Square page, 08_099] but the present scene is a complete transformation. Most of the buildings seen have gone. The west side of Black Lion Street showing the Cricketers Inn, the Black Lion Lane, the old Black Lion Brewery and contiguous buildings towards Kings Road. jgc_08_100
James Gray: Three photographs of not so long ago [jgc_08_100 and 101 plus, on the Bartholomew Square page, 08_099], but the present scene is a complete transformation. Most of the buildings seen have gone. Market Street, looking west to the Ship Hotel garage in Black Lion Street. The passageway (right) is that which led to the rear entrance of the Thatched House Inn and is seen in its 1937 condition on a later page [see 08_069]. jgc_08_101
James Gray: A comparatively recent photograph of the scene in this street following the demolition of the famous Black Lion Brewery, which had occupied the site for more than four centuries. Probably taken in 1973/74. Immediately to the left of the Agent’s hoarding can be seen the commemorative plaque let into the flint and stonework. Brighton Corporation provided this and it was unveiled on 22 July 1926, exactly 371 years, to the very day, after Carver’s death. Additional Information: The Cricketers Arms in the foreground on the right was originally known as The Last and Fishcart. jgc_08_102
James Gray: Close up photograph of this plaque, seen in its original position. Date of this photograph, August 1930. jgc_08_103
James Gray: The vegetable market, shown here, was built in 1834 on the site of the old Town Hall. It was demolished and replaced by the larger Floral Hall in 1900. This, in turn, gave way to the present market in Circus Street in 1935. Portions of the Floral Hall building, now used as a car park, are still standing. Additional Information: Note the gas lamps. jgc_08_104
James Gray: This is a photograph of the very narrow Black Lion Street in 1887. Two years later, in 1889, the street was widened by the removal of the old houses on the east side, facing the Brewery. As evidence of the age of this street, the lintel of one of the houses, since removed, bore the date 1669.
James Gray: This photograph, from about the middle of the street looking north, probably dates from the same period as that on the preceding page [jgc_08_105], the late 1880s. It affords a glimpse of the 17th century houses referred to, and also shows the entrance to the old Market which was built in 1834. Additional Information: Holder brother’s shop, an emporium of china and glass and is a rather decorative building. The lady standing in the doorway of the building next door is dressed in the clothes of the day. jgc_08_106
James Gray: A view of the Floral Hall and Black Lion Street, with a glimpse of the old Thatched House Inn. At this period, 1938, only the southern portion of the Hall was still used for flowers, whilst the remainder was given over to a Car Park. jgc_08_107
2019: The east side of Black Lion Street.
James Gray: The other end of the Floral Hall in Market Street [compared to jgc_08_107]. By the side of the building in the distance was the rear entrance, from Market Street, to the old Thatched House Inn. Additional Information: Austin car on the right of the picture? jgc_08_108
2019: The Market opened in 1830 and was demolished in 1900. In 1900-01 it was rebuilt by borough engineer Francis May in a red-brick and terracotta design in three sections slightly to the north of the original building.
James Gray: The interior [of the Floral Hall] in the 1920s. jgc_08_111
2019: The Floral Hall market building closed in 1938 after the replacement Circus Street building opened, and was demolished and converted into a car park in 1940, although the Market Street façade remained until the construction of Bartholomew Square in 1984-87.
James Gray: View towards the sea showing the Thatched House Inn, about 1900. jgc_08_112
2019: See caption for jgc_08_107 above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)