Taking a look back at Western Road in Brighton and Hove.

Here’s a look back at the bustling roadway over the decades. Commercial activities began in the street’s vicinity 200 years ago, and the area was previously known as West Laine.

Western Road was previously only a path that connected Brighthelmstone to the parish church in Hove.

Coronation decorations in Western Road (Image: Brighton From Old Photographs by Chris Horlock.)

It later received its current name from the Western family, who owned much of the surrounding property.

By 1870, the majority of the residential buildings on the street had been replaced by stores.

Western Road is shown here appearing busy in the 1930s.

Western Road in the 1930s (Image: The Argus Photographic Archive)

The photograph was shot shortly after the northern side, which is primarily owned by Brighton Council, was expanded.

Although there had been shops on the street for many years, trade was struggling due to its narrowness.

The council purchased property between Hampton Place and North Street, demolished it, and rebuilt the stores in styles ranging from Art Deco to neoclassical.

A new Boots store was established here, but after half a century, it relocated in the late 1970s to its current purpose-built location opposite the Clock Tower.

Staffords, the first significant department store on the street, opened its doors in 1926. It held tea dances in the restaurant. Poundland and the Co-Op Bank presently occupy the site.

Poundland said that the Western Road location will close on December 31 as part of a series of closures. Plummer Roddis, another department store that ultimately became part of the Debenhams empire, stood directly across from it.

Marks and Spencer, possibly the longest surviving business on the route, was also nearby before moving to its current location in 1932.

The Imperial Arcade next door was constructed in 1934 to replace the North Street Brewery.

Wades, another department store, was located west of M&S. The location was then occupied by New Look, which has since closed.

Johnson’s was next door, but it burned down on Bonfire Night in 1970.

Fire at Johnsons Western Road (Image: The Argus Photographic Archive)

The shops on the left in the below picture were later demolished to make way for Churchill Square.

Western Road soon after it was widened 90 years ago (Image: The Argus Photographic Archive)

Another major change was the restriction of car access in 1974, which was not well enforced for the next 25 years.

Primark is another major retailer on the street; the photograph below shows the store on its opening day in the 1980s.

 

Primark’s opening day in the late 1980s (Image: The Argus Photographic Archive)

Plans are in the works to add red lanes to Western Road between Holland and Montpelier roads.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s project seeks to minimise antisocial parking, promote safety, and improve business access in the region.

A consultation on the scheme is open until January 4. The council completed road work in November, resurfacing roads and pavements and simplifying route layout.

A restoration to “improve the look and feel of Western Road” includes more bike parking, benches, trees, bus shelters, street lighting, and loading and disabled spaces.

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