James Gray: The derelict old building seen here was for many years the Police and Fire Engine Station. It was the last building on the south side of this street, at the corner of Grafton Street, and had been used for this purpose from as far back as the 1840s. The letters on the wall above advertised the Crown Inn, the adjoining building at 24 Grafton Street. The year of the photograph is not known. It could have been the mid-1880s because in 1885 a replacement station had recently been built in nearby Freshfield Road. jgc_22_010
James Gray: This photograph of the 1880s shows Grafton Cottage in its original form, with the busy Chemist shop adjoining at 2 and 3. Note the sign directing to the much-needed Public Baths. Elsewhere is a photograph showing how little Grafton Cottage had changed externally after 80 years. jgc_22_024
James Gray: Three photographs [jgc_22_029, 030 and 031] of the north side of this street, from the Church Army Anchorage Home (previous) as far as the City of Hereford Inn, at the corner of Upper Bedford Street. These buildings are to be removed as part of a scheme to eliminate the awkward bend and widen the roadway. It aroused great hostility from the residents and particularly the proposal to demolish the inn, which had been here since 1810, for more than 160 years. This and the following photograph were taken on 29 September 1968. jgc_22_029 and jgc_22_030
2019: The buildings in the James Gray images have been demolished and the road junction straightened somewhat and widened. The site is now social housing to the end of the block (east). Two photographs describe the site now. One views the street from the same point as the James Gray image, showing the visual impact of the altered road. The other shows the north side of Upper St James’s Street as did the earlier James Gray photograph. (Photographer: Kate Ormond)
James Gray: The Inn finally closed for good on 11 August 1971. This photograph was taken on 17 May 1970. jgc_22_031
2018: The entire row of houses and shops was demolished to make way for Hampshire Court which is between Lavender Street and Upper Bedford Street. The building sits away from St James’s Street and has generous front gardens. Hampshire Court is designed around a courtyard with a community hall in the centre. (Photographer: Guy Shanley)