151-152, Western Road, Brighton

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 28 Mar 2016

Part of the ground floor of Image and since 2012 home to Shoe Zone who moved here from Image across the road. Originally number 151 was a residence until the late 1850s after which it became a boot maker, then leather seller before a draper William Padison moved in 1883. He would extend the store to Image, Image and Image which would later evolve into Bon Marche. When they moved out in the mid 1920s the combined stores would be used as temporary bases for Boots and Wades whilst their premises were rebuilt. Number 152 was expanded into during the early 1890s having previously been a residence until the 1870s and was a dyer prior to the merging. Both buildings were demolished in 1933 and the numbers reconstituted as a single store occupied by Timothy Whites from 1938 until the early 1980s just before the name disappeared from the High Street forever in 1985. A steady stream of businesses followed initially a hi fi dealer then showrooms for Seeboard, a brief presence by Curry’s who would later move to Image to be followed by Bon Marche a seller of cheap clothing to the more mature and less fashionable lady. This business was no relation to the other Bon Marche having formed in 1982. After they moved out in 2008 the premises remained empty barring the odd short lease discount store. 151 1859-1860 - BOOT MAKER (G Sinnock) 1861-1879 - LEATHER SELLER (G Sinnock) 1883-1925 - DRAPER (William Padison 1883-1919, Bon Marche 1920-25) 1930-1932 - WATERPROOFS (John Rain Ltd) 152 1871 - STATIONER (FP Bates) 1873 - TOY SHOP (Brighton Toy & Fancy Depot) 1874-1889 - DYERS (Puillar & Sons) 1890-1925 - DRAPER (William Padison 1890-1919, Bon Marche 1920-25) REBUILD 151-152 1938-1982 - HOUSEWARE & CHEMIST (Timothy Whites) 1983-1989 - HI FI DEALER (Lasky) 1990-1996 - ELECTRICITY SHOWROOMS (Seeboard) 1999-2001 - ELECTRICAL GOODS (Curry’s) 2001-2008 - LADIESWEAR (Bon Marche) 2012-2016 - SHOE SHOP (Shoe Zone)

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