Photograph Collections:
Public Houses
During Victorian times Brighton had a pub on virtually every corner. Over the decades the numbers of pubs in Brighton have dwindled.
Even more so now, with the prices of alcohol rising and the ban on smoking in pubs, the numbers are falling fast. Over the years I have managed to capture a few that have now long gone and captured some that are still there but are no longer pubs. Some I have added just because they’re pubs and still pubs! I will add some more history as and when I find it.
Image: © Carol Homewood
Image: © Carol Homewood
For around forty years from the 1890s up until the 1930s this pub was run by Patrick James Cunningham and his family. Originally from Ireland, Patrick lived here with his wife Alice and their four children. Their son Percy took over as landlord.
Image: © Carol Homewood
It was run by Louise Worger and her family from the 1870s until the 1910s. By 1937 the pub had gone, and the premises became a pawnbrokers.
Image: © Carol Homewood
The first mention of a pub at this address that I could find was in 1872 where it is described as a Beer House. It was run by George Harwood briefly. It wasn't until 1880 that it is first mentioned as the Balcony Tavern (probably named because it is the only property on that stretch of Elm Grove with a little balcony).
In 1875 it was being run by Charles Phelps who previously had the Flying Dutchman. After running the Balcony Tavern, Charles Phelps went on to run the Brighton Tavern, just up the road on the corner of Milton Road.
1881 saw the Balcony Tavern being run by William Stanford and his wife Sarah.
By 1901 the pub was being run by John Goodman from Winchester and his wife Harriet. In 1903 the pub closed and the following year number 20 Elm Grove became a greengrocers.
Image: © Carol Homewood
After this many businesses operated from this building such as butchers and hairdressers.
Lovely to see the pub has been commemorated with the Blue Anchor plaque.
Today no. 29 is a domestic residence.
Image: © Carol Homewood
W. Carter ran the pub from the 1850s up until the 1880s. The photo I have taken here is from 1990. I am not sure when it ceased trading but this pub survived some 140 years! Pretty amazing.
Image: © Carol Homewood
The landlord at the time was Abraham Leney, a Lewes man. He lived here at the Cranbourne Arms with his wife Ann and their children Hannah, Abraham and Martha.
Only in recent times has the pubs name been changed which seems a shame. It has been around for the past 160 odd years.
Image: © Carol Homewood
This only lasted until 1881. From 1882 onwards it was now known as the Cuthbert Hotel ran by J.W Hall. The Hall family ran the Cuthbert Hotel up until the late 1950s.
Writing this in 2014 the Cuthbert has now closed. I am not sure if it will continue as a pub or like many others be converted into housing.
Image: © Carol Homewood
A couple of landlords worthy of a mention were Walter Golden who ran the pub during the early 1900s and the Banks family who ran the pub during the 1920s and 30s.
