historic street on the site of Churchill Square: East – West section
Comparison map: Historic streets alongside 2019 layout of Churchill Square
James Gray: It will be seen that in 1937 when this photograph was taken, most of this narrow street was intact. Some buildings at the turn of the street had gone with others on the site of the present Regency Road. jgc_29_136
2018: Upper Russell Street has been built over, forming Regency Road under the Churchill Square shopping centre and car park. The building in the far distance of Gray’s image is the Academy Cinema in West Street, remodelled in 1939 and replaced in the 1970s. Yates Wine Lodge now occupies the ground floor of this site. The building under construction in 1937 is Phoenix House, situated just out of sight (to the left/north) of the entrance to Churchill Square car park. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: This photograph shows how narrow was this old street, built early in the 1800s. It was taken from just west of Artillery Street, during 1937. In the far distance note the erection in progress of the Woolwich Building Society office in West Street. Additional Information: Towers & Co. Colonial Meat Importers; Reliance Laundry. jgc_29_139
2018: This photograph was taken facing east from Russell Square, where the approach to the entrance of Churchill Square 1 car park follows the course of Upper Russell Street. The lay-by in front of Chartwell Court is the approximate location of the tiny Cannon Lane. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Four snapshot photographs [jgc_29_144 to 147] taken by an amateur photographer, and said by him to date from 1965. This photograph looks west along what was then left of Upper Russell Street, and two lone buildings standing in isolation at the top of Russell Street. jgc_29_144
2018: The James Gray image looks west along the route of the former Upper Russell Street toward Russell Square. Moore’s garage at the far west end of Russell Square can be glimpsed in the distance. The half-built tower block is Sussex Heights. The V-shaped building just to the left (south) of Sussex Heights is Metropole Court, the incongruous 1960s flats built to replace the elegant roof, turrets and dormer windows of the Metropole Hotel. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton/Google Earth)
James Gray: [Top left] No comment. jgc_29_120
James Gray: [Top right] 15 and 16 Upper Russell Street, in isolation among the clearances, with a view of houses in Blucher Place at the back. The building on the left of the two was for many years an Inn, the Good Intent. The year of the photograph is not known but it would be about 1954 to 1956. jgc_29_137
James Gray: [2nd row left] The view in the opposite direction [see also jgc_29_139 above] 20 July 1938. The Artillery Arms can be seen in both photographs. Additional Information: Wonderwash Laundry. jgc_29_140
James Gray: [2nd row right] Old buildings in this derelict street awaiting demolition. This photograph shows the corner of Cannon Street, dating from 25 October 1956. This building was removed in December 1958. jgc_29_141
James Gray: [3rd row left] This photograph, of about 1964, shows the large area given over to parking, which resulted from the earlier clearance of Artillery Street and Cannon Street. There was then plenty of parking spaces, particularly on a Sunday afternoon. At the left, 1-3 Upper Russell Street. A splendid view of the backs of the houses on the south side of Grenville Place, soon to be demolished, with two enterprising occupants, at Nos 34 and 50, advertising ‘Bed and breakfast.’ All now covered by the Churchill Square development. jgc_29_158
James Gray: [3rd row right] Junction [of Cannon Street] with Upper Russell Street. [See also jgc_29_141 above] jgc_29_122
James Gray: [Bottom left] Photographs taken 9 February 1964, just before their demolition as part of the same scheme. The Keywood family occupied No 2 for more than 60 years. jgc_29_170
James Gray: The date of this photograph is 15 December 1958. The Artillery Arms had been there since the 1860s. It was demolished in February 1959. Beyond, in Cannon Street, can be seen the old St Margaret’s Mission Rooms. jgc_29_142
James Gray: Two of the tiniest houses in Brighton, 22 and 23 Upper Russell Street. Flint cottages, they were built early in the 19th century and were probably about 130 years old at the time of the photograph. With the adjoining corner house, No 24 they were removed in 1933/4. They were the first houses of Upper Russell Street to be demolished and this marked the beginning of the vast clearance scheme in this very congested area. Additional Information: Pollard, Bootmaker and Repairer. jgc_29_128
James Gray: The end of the Good Intent. An old beer house at 15 Upper Russell Street which since 1924 had been a meat store. Just prior to demolition part of the old name was revealed on the façade NTENT. Photographed 6 December 1964, demolished July 1965. jgc_29_185
James Gray: Looking from the Regency Road along the line of the cleared Upper Russell Street to Russell Square, with Moore’s garage in the far distance. The date is 20 September 1965, and a large part of this previously congested area had already been demolished. Gone were Milton Place, Wellington Place and Blucher Place. Also, Artillery Street, Cannon Street and Cannon Lane below Upper Russell Street. Note the side wall of the West Street Tabernacle in the shade at the left. At the top left, high-rise flats under construction. jgc_29_202