James Gray: This was built about 1843 and was occupied by Mr S. Akehurst, Auctioneer. Later the title of the practice was changed to Akehurst & Son, as seen here, and they continued in this building until 1901 when they were succeeded by Clayton & Black Architects who still occupy the premises. jgc_08_055
2019: 10 Prince Albert St is now the offices of an estate management company. The appearance of the building is different from that in the original, as it was re-fronted and considerably rebuilt by Clayton & Black after they took over the building as their offices in 1904. Often referred to as the company that built Brighton, it was dissolved in 1974. Among the many iconic buildings built or refurbished by the firm are The King & Queen public house in Marlborough Place, the Duke of York’s cinema at Preston Circus and Imperial Arcade at the junction of Western Road and Dyke Road. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: This Victorian mansion was built in 1843 for Mr Isaac Bass, who was chiefly responsible for the construction of this street, linking Ship Street with Market Street. In the 1850s it passed into ownership of Mr John Catt, the brewer, and it was still occupied by him as a private dwelling in 1892. After his death it was occupied as Solicitors’ offices though the extensive garden remained. The ugly shops, which now disfigure the site, were erected early this century, No 15b dating from 1903 and 15a about 1907. The photograph was taken in July 1897 when the house was put up for sale by auction. jgc_08_056
James Gray: Compare these two photographs [jgc_08_057 and 058] with that on the previous page [jgc_08_056] because they show the single storey shops that were allowed to be built in the garden of this fine old house. Happily, one of these excrescences has since been removed, thanks to Mr Eric Diplock, Solicitor, who bought the house. In 1963, 15c, seen in both photographs was taken away, the façade was restored and the garden extended. The others remain, but let us hope that perhaps in future years they too will go. Additional Information: One of two on page. jgc_08_057
2019: See caption above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_08_057 above.] This photograph was taken in November 1957. Additional Information: One of two on page. jgc_08_058
2019: See caption above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: The date of this old, blurred photograph, is uncertain. It dates from before 1875, however, because in that year the buildings were extended by the erection of another block to the westward. At the same time the main building was refronted, the entrance and porch being sited where the two ladies are standing in the photograph. NB A very much clearer copy of this photograph was to be found at the Meeting House. It identified all the people shown in the photograph, some of whom were prominent citizens of the period. jgc_08_059
2019: Three contemporary views (jgc_08_059, 060 and 061) of the Friends Meeting House, much altered since 1875.
James Gray: This is a smaller but much clearer copy of the old photograph [jgc_08_059] on the previous page. jgc_08_060
2019: See caption above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: This is a present day view of the site. This shows the alterations and, on the left, the building put up in 1875 with its date plaque between the windows. The only part of the old building which is unchanged is the original porchway on the right, though the building behind still has the same number of chimney pots. jgc_08_061
James Gray: Junction of Prince Albert Street, Market Street and Bartholomew’s, also about 1950. Hadlows, the Printers, Stationers & Engravers had occupied the corner premises since the 1850s. jgc_08_083
2020: The same junction of streets seventy years later is still totally recognisable. Notice in particular the plasterwork above the entrance to the porch of the Bella Italia restaurant and the awning along its Market Street side, both of which can be seen in the 1950 image.
James Gray: The south side of peaceful Prince Albert Street, on 19 June 1939. Oh! Happy traffic-free days. Additional Information: Antique Dealers in the 1970s/80s inhabited many of the buildings on the north side of this street. jgc_08_084
2019: In architectural terms the buildings remain substantially unaltered although the uses to which they are put have changed. Many are now eating establishments. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: Samuel Porter’s poulterer’s shop in 1902. On the first floor, approached by the door on the right, were the offices of the Brighton Conservative Association. jgc_09_074
2019: 21 Prince Albert Street today. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
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.