Andy Garth: Pleasure Shopping

We are all usually more interested in the things for sale within a shop rather than looking at the building that holds the goods, so this week I have put three pictures together of different styles of shops from yester years. I have included two buildings that were purpose built in an age where size and style added immensely to the “poshness”of such retail establishments.

The first is the beautiful building designed by Amon Wilds with its gothic style and big windows giving loads of room for display in Western Road opposite Waitrose. Prior to its present format it was a Debenhams and prior to that a great local store called Plummers.

The second postcard photo is actually titled “The Brighton and Hove Supply Association Ltd” which was an early Co-op but was better known as the Palmeira Stores, which was Hove’s top department store and as it states in the photo “The Fashionable Shopping Rendezvous” had 30 departments.

Situated on the corner of Western Road and Holland Road it served the wealthy in Adelaide Crescent, Brunswick Square and the surrounding area.

You can still see evidence of some shops with painted signs underneath the layers of paint

After its department store days it became a Maples furniture store, an antique shop and finally the wrong window supermarket it is today!

Finally I have included a proper local corner shop that served a local community that existed in the late 19th century right through to the 1960’s. This is the Islingword Hardware shop in Islingword Road providing all the DIY equipment needed in the day and served you as individual even if you only wanted one 6inch nail rather than buying a bulk packet which is done today.

As with the Hanover/Islingword area this corner shop along with most of the others are now converted into houses.

I know it’s a shame but you can still see evidence of some shops with painted signs underneath the layers of paint on the front walls.

Brighton and Hove Stuff, 28 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1AF
News of some lots in our next auction next week. Any queries or questions email at Brightonandhovestuff@gmail.com