James Gray: The building seen in these three photographs [jgc_31_22, 23 and 24] was erected in the late 1860s, and occupied by Brighton Grammar School from May 1866. Here, the school remained, with a slight break until 1920, when it returned to its present premises, requisitioned as a Military Hospital during the War. After internal alterations it reopened as the Brighton and Hove Hospital for Women and Children (later the Maternity hospital) in 1922, and remained as such until 1970. Since then it had been used as a care unit for the mentally handicapped. Photographed 3 June 1976. Demolished – September 1976. jgc_31_022
2018: The building that replaced that in the James Gray image is itself in the process of demolition. Flats are to be developed on the site. (Photographer: Frances Lindsay-Hills)
James Gray: The focal point of these photographs is the shop, 55, Gloucester Road, at the corner of North Gardens. First occupied in the late 1850’s by J Ridge, baker, it remained as a baker’s shop in the same family for more than a century. Examples are – 1877 Isaac Ridge, 1902 Mrs Ridge, 1913 Ridge & Son. It then continued in this name through two world wars and into its second century. It is listed in Kelly’s Directory for 1960 but by 1962 the bakery has gone. In this photograph of about 1920, it seems that other things than bread were being sold in the shop. jgc_31_138
2020: Ridge & Son was replaced by a leather goods shop (see jgc_31_141 below) but is now a rather plain private dwelling. The address of both shops and the current property has remained 55 Upper Gloucester Road. (Photographer: Margaret Polmear)
James Gray: One of Brighton’s older streets, dating from the 1820’s, though the buildings which concern us here are of much later construction. The view is of the east side of the street, from Upper Gloucester Road. Here formerly stood seven small houses, 28/35, reaching down to the Caxton Arms seen in both photographs and between 30 and 31 was a small building which had a variety of uses in the period 1913/1923, such as Motor Cab Works, Dancing Hall and Repertory Theatre. Finally, in 1928, this space, with adjoining 29 and 30, was converted into a Depot for Southern Counties Dairies. After the last war this was extended southwards to the Caxton Arms, 31/35 being demolished. This depot was removed in late 1989 and offices built on the site. A view from the other end of the street taken on 26 August 1988. jgc_31_141
2020: The leather goods shop on the corner of North Gardens and Upper Gloucester Road was previously Ridge & Son, a baker’s shop (see jgc_31_138 above). It is now a private dwelling. The shop also repaired umbrellas and walking sticks and the shop owner travelled to London once a week with a bundle of umbrellas for repair. The site of the milk depot is now occupied by offices and a small terrace of houses. The Caxton Arms (see jgc_31_134 and 135 above) can be seen on the far right in both photographs. The images for jgc_31_141 were taken from Upper Gloucester Road. The images for jgc_31_140 below were taken towards Upper Gloucester Road. (Photographer: Margaret Polmear)