This shop which I believe is, or was, in The Lanes, was run by my Grandfather George Charles Kent.
He wrote a book on coin collecting entitled ‘British Metalic Coins and Tradesmen’s Tokens with their Value from 1600-1912’.
I would love to know where the shop was, if it still exists or if it is now demolished. Can anyone help?
Comments about this page
Kelly’s 1914 Directory shows a Charles Kent ‘Curio Dealer’ at 1 North Street Cottages. The same source shows the Cottages to be at 26 Meeting House Lane, in the heart of The Lanes; one of 5 cottages. The directory entry for Meeting House Lane is showing them as a twitten a sequence on the east side. Looking at a 1930 street map I think these are on the site of the present Brighton Square, but I am sure Andy will have an exact location.
I have now found a 1980s detailed map of The Lanes which has street numbers on it. #26 Meeting House Lane is on the corner of the northern entrance to Brighton Square. So it would seem that North St Cottages were along that first entrance into the Square when entering from the North Street end, so are now no more.
What a shame these buildings are no longer here, too many of Brighton’s buildings have been lost due to poor planning. Having grown up here I think that it now has no character.
Resolved. The shop in the photograph once stood where Vogue Jewellers now stands adjoining The Lanes Armoury. The shop was demolished during 1963 to make way for the Brighton Square development. Thank you all for your interest.
Prefer that to Brighton Square.
Hello Graham,
I am writing a book about the literature of the British token coinage of the 18th & 19th centuries. One of the books featured is Kent’s “Metallic Coins and Tokens”. With each book covered, I like to include a biography of the author. I have a number of questions regarding your grandfather and the production method of his book. I may have some information that you are unaware of as well. Please contact me at tokenmann@aol.com Thanks, Harold Welch
Add a comment about this page