James Gray: Not far away from Bedford Place stood these houses, 1-7 Sillwood Street. Built in the 1830s, they adjoined Little Preston Street. From their close proximity to the sea they operated as lodging houses for many years. Photographed on 15 March 1987 they have since been removed and the site is being redeveloped, presumably as flats. jgc_29_011
2018: The hand car wash business at 1 Sillwood Street somehow survived the substantial redevelopment of Nos 1, 3, 5 and 7 in the 1980s although it now calls itself a ‘valeting place.’
James Gray: 4-6 Sillwood Street, photographed on 28 January 1962. Later demolished and replaced by Moore’s Garage, built in 1963. jgc_29_012
2018: Moore’s Garage has been replaced by a sheltered housing development called Fred Emery Court, part of YMCA Brighton, which offers supported housing to 32 residents. To the left (west) of Fred Emery Court, is the entrance to a car park at the rear of Sillwood Place and beyond that, the building seen in both images is 1 Sillwood Place. (Photographer: Clare Rogers)
James Gray: The Olive Branch Inn, at the corner of Bedford Place, about 1920. This is an old Inn that was in existence in 1845, and perhaps earlier. jgc_29_014
2018: The old Olive Branch has had its name changed several times over the years and is now called the Lion and Lobster pub and painted bright red. It has a three storey extension on its west side which opens onto Bedford Place. To the north and east of the pub, there are blocks of modern flats. (Photographer: Clare Rogers)
James Gray: York Arms Inn, 13 Sillwood Street, 17 May 1970. This may have been built as a private house, but was an Inn from the late 1850s. Since delicensed and the buildings put to other use. jgc_29_023
2018: Sillwood Street was renumbered before the York Arms Inn finally closed. Its last address was 45 Sillwood Street. The building at No 45 has now returned to being a private house. (Photographer: Clare Rogers)
James Gray: At the rear, approached by a narrow lane from Sillwood Street were these other buildings. The cobble–fronted one may well have been the stables at one time but it had an upper floor used by the Brighton Arts Club. These outbuildings went at the same time as the house. Photographed May 10 1959. jgc_01_094
2020: Images jgc_01_093, 094 and 095 show the corner of King’s Road and Cavendish Place, formerly the home of the Union Club. This building has been replaced by a tall block of flats called Cavendish House but the lane and other buildings are still visible as described. The narrow lane is now fitted with a security gate. The stables are now garages. (Photographer: David Sears)