193-194, Western Road, Brighton

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 28 Mar 2016

These pair of shops were rebuilt between 1926 and 1930. Both were town houses possessing front gardens built back from the street until the 1880s. Their gardens were subsequently built over and the converted to commercial use with 193 a provision merchant during the 1880s and then a branch of Freeman, Hardy & Willis from 1890 who would move to newly rebuilt Image when their old shop was demolished in 1925. Number 194 spent the 1880s as either a coach builder or auctioneer before becoming a home furnishers, Benfords, who would later expand into 196-198 (See Image). This shop was demolished in 1929. After rebuilding 193 became home to the Greater London Rubber Co who retailed all things waterproof until the late 1960s; a decade retailing sewing machines; another two decades flogging ladies wear either as Etam or Tammy Girl (Both owned by same parent company); then the last shop on Western Road run by Sussex Stationers who entered administration in 2011 were purchased by WH Smith who closed this branch. They had previously traded at 194, Image and Image After a brief stint as a discount clothing store it was converted into a Costa cafe in 2012. Neighbouring 194 has had only four occupants; Saxone shoes for over sixty years, First Sport for half a dozen, Sussex Stationers for four years and since 2010 has been home to Curry’s and sister company PC World. Old Images 193 and 194, 1925 - http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume19/source/jg_19_099.html 193 and 194, 1933 - http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume19/source/jg_19_138.html 193 1883-1888 - PROVISION MERCHANT (Bull & Co 1883-87, Williams & co 1888) 1890-1925 - SHOE SHOP (Freeman Hardy & Willis) REBUILT 1927-1969 - RUBBER GOODS (Greater London Rubber Co. Ltd) 1970-1981 - SEWING MACHINES (Singer) 1982-2004 - LADIESWEAR (Etam/Tammy Girl) 2006-2008 - MENSWEAR (Burton) 2010-2011 - STATIONERS (Sussex Stationers) 2011-2012 - LADIESWEAR (Hut Moda) 2012-2016 - CAFE (Costa) 194 1883-1887 - COACH BUILDER (AD Nye) 1889-1891 - AUCTIONEERS (Priest & Cox) 1893-1929 - HOME FURNISHERS (Benfords) REBUILT 1932-1996 - SHOE SHOP (Saxone) 1999-2005 - SPORTS GOODS (First Sport) 2006-2010 - STATIONERS (Sussex Stationers) 2012-2016 - ELECTRICAL GOODS (Curry’s)

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