13-14 Sydney Street

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 24 Jul 2011

One of two rebuilds in the street, the other being Image Originally number 13 was a workshop and 14 a house and the first occupant of the latter was a Thomas Over, a local builder, responsible for the construction of Image which he named after himself. When Over moved on a stone mason called Piercey worked out of the premises and from 1864 a gasfitter called Edward Long moved into number 13. Long, his family and business were to remain here for the next ninety years (number 14 was added from 1873) until the business was closed in the late 1950s and a decision was taken to demolish the workshop and neighbouring house, see http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume25/source/jg_25_142.html for an image of the site awaiting demolition in 1962. The new building was opened in 1964 and the first occupants were Cramphorns, a seed merchants, who remained in the spot for a decade before amalgamating with another, Hollis, and moving to their premises on London Road. The purpose built shop was quickly acquired by Rayford Electrics to house their radio and television department and also quickly vacated as Image which adjoined their main property at Image became available towards the end of the 1970s. Another prominent business in the street, Gunns the florist, upgraded from Image and would remain here until 2008 when they decided to downgrade and return to their original shop via Image Since 2008 the premises has been home to Cyberdog purveyors of very bright neon clubwear. OCCUPANTS 1845-56: BUILDER: Thomas Over (14 only) 1856-62: STONE MASON: J Piercey (14 only) 1864-1958: GASFITTERS: Edward Long later Edward Long & Sons (13 from 1873) 1964-74: SEED MERCHANTS: Cramphorns 1975-77: ELECTRICAL RETAILER: Rayford Electrics 1978-2008: FLORIST: Gunns 2008-11: CLOTHES SHOP: Cyberdog

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