109-109a, Western Road, Brighton

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 25 Mar 2016

The property has been split into two units since the 1890s and are both currently empty. Number 109 on the left was a photographic studio for nearly 75 years and may be responsible for the large number of skylights in the roof. In 1939 the shop became an antiques dealers for the next decade to be followed by a dress designer, a brief return to photography then a series of boutiques and another antique dealers. The steady stream of businesses continued throughout the 1980s and 90s with the last business dealing in second hand electronics. Number 109a has also seen a steady turnover of businesses the longest being Finlay’s the tobacconist which occupied the store for nearly half a century.For the first decade of the 21st century it was a property management company but has been empty since 2012. 109 1854-1862 - BOOKSELLER, STATIONER, LIBRARIAN (C Brook) 1864 - ARTIST (R Salter) 1865-1938 - PHOTOGRAPHERS (Spink & Jaye & King Ltd) 1939-1949 - ANTIQUE DEALER (S Chalcroft & Sons 1939, Goddards 1947, Eric Shaw 1949) 1951-1960 - DRESS DESIGNER (James Waring) 1962 - PHOTOGRAPHIC DEALERS (David Finn Ltd) 1971-1974 - BOUTIQUE (Snips (1971, Smothers 1974) 1976-1977 - ANTIQUE DEALERS (Symco Antiques) 1978-1981 - MENSWEAR (Stunning Rags Ltd) 1985-1996 - MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (Music Scene) 1999-2008 - ESTATE AGENTS (Massey) 2009-2015 - COMPUTER SERVICES (Brighton Internet, Laptop & Phone Services) 109a 1892-1895 - FISHMONGER (C Blackman) 1896-1898 - SHOE MAKER (Walter Cripps) 1899-1927 - HOSIER (Athelstan Woods) 1928-1974 - TOBACCONIST (Finlay & Co) 1977-1978 - CAFE (Bambas Coffee Lounge) 1982-1985 - TAKEAWAY (Rolla Coaster) 1985-1988 - BOUTIQUE (Mr Leonardo) 1991 - LADIESWEAR (Leabas) 2001-2012 - ACCOMMODATION (Alley Property Management 2001-09, Farrid & Sons 2009-12)

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