95, Western Road, Brighton

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 25 Mar 2016

Built in 1880 as a westward extension of Image removing its garden in the process. The first occupants were an estate agent then an office for nurses. It became a shop around 1911 when it was extended into by AC Sharman who were already operating from 96 and 97 later extending into 98. In 1920 the extended stores were taken over by Plummer Roddis, a growing chain of department stores that had its origins in Hastings, and extended into 99, see Image The chain was acquired by Debenhams in the 1960s who rebranded the store in the early 1970s. Debenhmas moved into Churchill Square in 1998 after which the old store was broken up into smaller units. Number 95 was opened as a restaurant in 2001 and has remained so ever since albeit under different owners; Lochfyne was a seafood and oyster bar, Pintxo was a tapas bar and were responsible for sticking the bull on the roof, Rock & Roller was an American pool bar, whilst current incumbents Verano are a more conventional cafe bar. Old Images Number 95-97 c.1912-14 - http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume19/source/jg_19_015.html 1880-1884 - ESTATE AGENTS (Crouch & Stevens) 1888-1910 - London & Brighton Association for Trained Nurses 1911-1919 - MILLINER, DRAPER, OUTFITTER (AC Sharman) 1920-1998 - DEPARTMENT STORE (Plummer Roddis 1920-72, Debenhams 1973-98) 2001-2016 - RESTAURANT/BAR (Lochfyne 2001-06, Pintxo People 2006-09, Rock & Roller 2010-13, Verano 2014-16)

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