
James Gray: Tills Garage at the foot of Preston Street in 1920. This area seems to have been used for commercial purposes since the early years of the present century whereas the street itself is very much older as witness the wall sign of John Ingarfield, Fishmonger. The yard may have evolved from the rear areas of the large houses in Regency Square (the backs of which are seen) or it may have had some connection with the New Club in Kings Road, the railings of which can be seen at the extreme right. James Tills was here from 1919 until 1925, but the yard has since had a long association with the motor trade.
James Gray: An Edwardian scene on the west side of Preston Street about 1904. The shops were respectively – No. 28, Miss Garrett, Toy Dealer, No. 29, F. Watts, hairdresser and Perfumer, No. 30, M. Embling, Regency Library. jgc_29_029
2018: The buildings here on the west side of Preston street are still largely untouched above first floor level but the commercial fronts are all very different today. The modern street is largely home to eating places, including the long-established family run Italian restaurant Casalingo at number 29. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: A recent print from an old wax paper negative, this photograph shows a very much older Preston Street than might appear at first sight. In fact it dates from the late 1850s, between 1856 and 1859. The name ‘Bax’ appears on the fascia board above the shop at No 29. John Bax was here in 1856, but he had gone by 1859. Additional Information: John Bax was at his grocery shop in 1841 and died in 1866, leaving a large family. jgc_29_031
2018: Nos 27 and 28 are now merged into a double-fronted steak house, with one central door. The Casalingo restaurant occupying No 29 has lost its bow front and has later bay windows. Nos 30 and 31 are merged to form a Korean Restaurant with matching bay windows on the first floor. No 32 is still one storey lower than its neighbours, and is now a Japanese restaurant. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: Preston Street, originally named Bedford Row, has had an uneventful history. It is seldom mentioned in books about Brighton and photographs are few and far between. Early in the 19th century a few houses were built on the lower east side but the real development came in the 1820s when most of the houses were built and the name changed to Preston Street. In this photograph taken in 1891, 69 – 70 Preston Street are seen with trees growing in the gardens of the houses in Regency Square. These have all since been built over. jgc_29_032
2019: Now rebuilt. Maggie Mae’s Bar, 69 – 71 Preston Street. (Photographer: Jon Gwyn)
James Gray: 20 Preston Street, as it was when occupied by Mr W A Field, builder, and as a private house. This was one of the original houses of Bedford Row and the well-known firm of Field & Cox, Builders, was founded here by Mr Joseph Field in 1803. jgc_29_033
2018: The façade of 20 Preston Street, now a bar called Medusa, has been altered from the bow front in the James Gray picture. Today there are bay windows on the first and second floor and the ground floor has the typical flat glass frontage of most of the numerous bars and restaurants in this street. The doorways have been squared off and what used to be a doorway on the south (left) side of the building is no longer in use. There used to be a walkway through this building from Preston Street to Little Preston Street behind it, which was in use until the 1980s. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: The new Pier Tavern, photographed about 1912. As its name implies, it was opened in the same year as the West Pier, 1866, although the actual building, 13 Preston Street, was many years older. jgc_29_035
James Gray: The new Pier Tavern, photographed about 1912. As its name implies it was opened in the same year as the West Pier, 1866, although the actual building, 13 Preston Street, was many years older. jgc_29_036
2018: 13 and 14 Preston Street now form the Adelfia Greek restaurant with a modern glass frontage, but No 13 is little changed at first floor level. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: A procession headed down Preston Street, on 29 February 1896. In the carriage were the Prince and Princess of Wales on their way to lay the foundation stone of the outpatients department of the Sussex County Hospital. jgc_29_038
2018: The original photograph was probably taken at the south end of Preston Street. This updated image was taken from the extreme south end of the street, looking north. The buildings are much more uniform now, in contrast to the varied façades of 1896. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: Two photographs (and following) [jgc_29_041 and jgc_29_042] of this now busy street, taken in the 1930s. This one looks up the street, from the corner of Stone Street to demolitions in progress in 1933 in Western Road, prior to the erection of Mitre House. jgc_29_041
2018: The buildings visible at the top of the road, in Western Road, have all been replaced by Mitre House. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: Looking south, this group of people is watching some hidden event. The year is 1936 and it is interesting to note that even then traffic had to be controlled. See the NO WAITING notice. jgc_29_042
2018: The i360 now looms over Preston Street. At the south end of the road, on the east (left) side the tall Victorian block, The New Club, in the James Gray image has been replaced by Astra House, an Art Deco mansion flat development. The crowd in the 1936 picture might have been looking at the start of demolition work on the New Club as Astra House was built in 1937-38. (Photographer: Shan Lancaster)
James Gray: From this unusual angle, looking up Preston Street, the Central public house, appears in almost complete isolation. All the other buildings in this block have been removed, apart from Waters’ Wine Stores, at 143, which can be seen away to the left. jgc_19_056
2020: The buildings in Preston Street are still recognisable although the view is now dominated by Mitre House. (Photographer: Simon Cooper)