Castle Square

James Gray: The advertisement in Needham’s window “Greater Brighton Celebrations” tells us that this is a photograph of May 1928, though the watery sunshine and the people’s dress are more in keeping with November or December. jgc_10_023

2018: Royal Bank of Scotland now stands in the footprint of Needham’s Department Store. The building was demolished as part of the widening of the Old Steine. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)

James Gray: The first motor bus to run to Rottingdean, Whit Monday, 1907 photographed in Old Steine, just opposite the site of the present War memorial. Needham’s old outfitters shop forms the background. Passengers upstairs seem to be on a rather precarious perch, and considering the rough condition of the old road, the journey to Rottingdean must have been something of an adventure! jgc_10_050

2018: Today, the No.12 bus will take you to Rottingdean on its way to Seaford. Seen here heading east in Castle Square just in front of the old Needham’s site.

James Gray: The narrow entrance to Old Steine from Castle Square before road widening, after the demolition of Needham’s premises. Note the bottleneck in North Street, below the Chapel Royal. Additional Information: Despite the comment by James Gray, Needham’s store is present at the right hand side. jgc_10_028

2018: The view west following the widening of the pavement and road. The Art Deco style building which now sits on part of the Needham’s footprint was originally known as Electric House, housing the offices and showrooms of the corporation’s electricity department.

James Gray: This is an historic site. The famous Castle Tavern, which gave its name to Castle Square, was established here in 1755. Later it was greatly enlarged, and a handsome ballroom was added. The property having been acquired by George IV, when Regent, the ballroom was converted into the Chapel Royal, and in October 1823 the Castle Tavern was demolished. Soon afterwards the oblong block of buildings shown in these photographs was erected, and had been occupied by Needham’s for upward of 60 years when removed in 1930.

James Gray: [See also caption for jgc_10_044 above.] The view at the corner of Castle Square and Old Steine at the same period. When Needham’s went, the adjoining houses 59 and 60 Old Steine, part of the original block, were removed at the same time. jgc_10_045

2018: The Royal Bank of Scotland now stands on the site. To the right, 61 Old Steine survived and is currently a hair salon. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)

James Gray: Castle Square, looking up North Street, December 1929. The bus fare was still 2d, to Sackville Road. On the right, Needham’s Store, established here in 1848 and demolished in 1930 for the widening of Castle Square. jgc_10_049

2018: Royal Bank of Scotland now takes the place of Needham’s standing on the corner. Even with the widening of the road and pavements, vehicles are restricted to buses and taxis to ease the flow of traffic. The bus fare to Sackville Road is now £2.60. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)

James Gray: Above is a photograph of early 1930, showing demolition in progress of Needham’s premises, at the corner of Castle Square and Old Steine. jgc_10_053

2018: Royal Bank of Scotland now stands on the corner. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)

James Gray: Later in the same year, 1930, a covered-top omnibus in the same position as the earlier one seen previously. By then Needham’s site had been completely cleared. jgc_10_054

2018: Royal Bank of Scotland now stands on the old Needham’s site. With around 300 buses in the Brighton & Hove fleet, access to North Street is restricted to buses and taxis. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)

James Gray: View across to Castle Square showing the massive Semaphore Signal Arms. A policeman from a central post operated these where he could see traffic from all directions. It was a cumbersome method of traffic control, which soon gave way to the present traffic lights. jgc_10_061

2018: The junction is now segregated with dedicated bus lanes. Multiple traffic lights are in place which include audio-visual pedestrian crossing signals.

James Gray: One of four photographs [see also jgc_09_107, 108 and 109] calling for little comment.  jgc_09_110

2019: View from the Old Steine looking west, with Royal Bank of Scotland to the right of the picture. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)

James Gray: Contrasting pictures of the important site, in the heart of the town, at the junction of Castle Square and East Street. The buildings seen are 10/12, Castle Square, and the taller one around the corner, 45 East Street. For more than a century No. 12 was occupied by the high-class Boot and Shoe Makers, Dutton and Thorowgood, who later took over the East Street premises.  In October, 1946, the buildings were sold at auction for the reputed sum of £72000, a large amount for those days. Within a few years Dutton and Thorowgood had left. Date of photograph – 25 March 1984. Demolished – September/October 1984.  jgc_09_111

James Gray: The present day scene, photographed 28 March 1986. The site of tiny No.9 (previous photograph) is now part of the new development. The new buildings dwarf those adjoining in East Street. jgc_09_112

2019: See jgc_09_111 (Photographer: Ron Fitton)

James Gray: Looking across to the north side of the square, or, to be precise, to Nos. 12/14 Pavilion Buildings, as really this is not a square. Beyond, far right, is the empty site where Needhams had been until 1930. This tells us that the year is 1930/31 for by the following year Electricity Showrooms had been built here. Also all the motor-buses are still open-top. The covered-in buses were first introduced in 1939. jgc_09_113

James Gray: Later photographs of the 1950s. These show the buildings on the south side. Above [this entry] Nos. 2/6 up to the Royal Pavilion Hotel, and right [the next entry], the Hotel 7/8, the very small 9, and the adjoining tall 10. The present day scene is seen on another page. jgc_09_114

2019: Whilst the exteriors of these buildings have altered little, the businesses contained in them have all changed. Maynard’s in particular had sweet shops all over Brighton and Hove and even a kiosk on the pier. The ‘present day scene’ mentioned by James Gray is probably jgc_09_112 above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)

James Gray: The Royal Pavilion Hotel 7/8, the very small 9, and the adjoining tall 10. The present day scene is seen on another page. jgc_09_115

2019: After trading for nearly 200 years, the Royal Pavilion Tavern (aka The Tav & Shades) finally closed its doors on 26 September 2019. Converted from a house into the Royal Pavilion Hotel in the early 19th century, its original role soon changed from a hotel to a pub, in which guise it remained until its closure. Currently boarded up and in the process of rebuilding, some doubt exists about exactly what the future holds for one of Brighton’s oldest boozers. The ‘present day scene’ mentioned by James Gray is probably jgc_09_112 above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)