Moved in c1946
As far as I am aware, my grandparents moved into Emery’s Hotel sometime around 1946. Our family name was Cornwell; there were four sons and one daughter. Their names were Ken, Bill, Gordon, Derek and my mother Meg.
Do you remember Emery’s? If you can share your memories, please post a comment below
Barbers next door
I think the photograph here was taken some time around late the late 1950s to early 1960s. I was born in 1960 and only remember the cafe next door in the photograph as Charlie Clark’s barbers.
Sold in late 1970s
My grandfather died in 1964 and my grandmother in 1974. After this time the hotel was left in the hands of my uncles, as my mother being the only sister was not involved. I am sorry to say it deteriorated until sold to developers approximately four or five years later.
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To help date the photo, the all-cream/white car looks like a Vauxhall Viva HA Series, which was first sold in the UK in 1963.
I know Emery’s was still open in August 1970 as my in-laws stayed there when I got married.
There was a very nice cafe/restaurant just about there in the 1980s which we used to take our children to when in town. They always greeted you like a long-lost friend. Like all good things, it disappeared to be replaced by something that no-one needed.
I stayed in Emery’s one Friday night in the mid 1970’s with my then girlfriend. A very cheap basic hotel, our room didn’t have en suite facilities, just a wash basin and hand towel. It seemed an exciting thing to do as teenagers living with our parents in Brighton. I think we checked in around midnight.
I remember Emery’s. We used to assume that it was staffed by characters from Dick Emery’s TV show. Mandy on reception (obviously). There was also a shop nearby selling trusses and other electrical stimulators. They had a red neon sign which spelt ‘Trusses’ in the window. Piece of marketing genius.
I used to go to school with Lisa and Karen Hyde who lived at the hotel. I assume their mother, Doris, owned the property as they used to have a flat in the basement of the hotel as I used to have sleep-overs there in the early 70s to 76. Lisa and Karen’s mum used to be best friends with my mum, Sally, who sometimes helped clean the hotel rooms for a bit of cash in hand. Happy days – wish they were back again.
I can’t believe it. Rachel, I thought I would look up Emerys and there you are. I’m so happy that you remember us after all these years. Didn’t we all have such fun together? The hotel wasn’t ours but run by my uncles. It would be great to catch up so if you read this please get in touch. I am on Facebook under Lisa Burton. It would be great to hear from you and anyone else associated with the hotel in some way.
Bob Duxton. It would be really great if you could get in touch please as the Cornwells are my relatives also. It would be great to talk to you.
Hi Lisa. Several years ago we managed to obtain a war medal belonging to John (Jack) George Cornwell, I believe he is your Great Uncle. We did a lot of research on him at the time and found that his brother Archie ran the Emery’s Hotel in Brighton. You can see the piece we did on Jack at http://www.ww1cemeteries.com and then the sub heading Biographies. We have visited his grave many times at Dive Copse in France and the site is dedicated to his memory.
OMG! Hello to all involved or who knew Emery’s. I’m extremely interested in the news from Bob Duxton, John Jack George would also be my great-uncle. I have been extremely fortunate to have had a life fuelled by the paranormal, all due to my many, many experiences in the basement of Emery’s which was then my bedroom, and I had many visitations from soldiers in British uniform. My bedroom adjoined the basement of Charlie Clark’s basement. I would be eternally interested if anyone has any experiences or information regarding these or other family matters or stories. I’m 48 without any real family knowledge and I’m desperate to know my family tree which I’m desperate to research! I thank you so much for that enlightening information!
Also a big ‘Hello’ to Rachel Cheetam who I was only thinking of a few nights ago. A hi Lisa (sis) – hope you’re happy and well – I’m still alive!
My name is Karen Hyde, sister of Lisa. I lived with my sister, mother and grandmother for 12 years at Emery’s. My uncle and aunty are Bill and Mary Cornwall. I am grateful for my experiences at Emery’s as it’s made me the person I am today. From a child and into adult life I’ve had many parnormal experiences which started at Emery’s. Thanks Terry Heard for the info on my great uncle John George, it just may have solved the mistery of my reoccurring apparition of a soldier in British uniform that appeared pretty regularly to me in my bedroom in the basement which adjoined Charlie Clark’s bedroom. If yourself or others have any info on my family tree or other info, I would be very grateful as I’m on my own and never got any answers. Thank you.
My name is Remy Verheyen from Puurs (Antwerp, Belgium). In juli 1976 was i 18 years old and traveled in the UK. My first stop was Dover, my second Kent, en the third place in my planning for one week was Brighton. I was booking there in Emery’s Hotel. It was a real family hotel. Nice clean bedroom, lovely funny manors and equally for the employees. For my first time in the UK, was it a verry nice experiences. So good, dat i stay three weeks.
When somebody is interest for pictures from my time at Emery’s, you can contact me by way of e-mail: remy_verheyen@hotmail.com
I stayed at Emerys hotel many times as a child – my father was a close friend of Derek Cornwall. I could probably share more memories if it’s of interest to anyone.
Hi everyone, lovely seeing all these comments. My grandad passed away recently and it’s made me want to know all the history of him. He used to tell me he worked at Emerys Hotel and I have a few pictures of him behind the bar, his name is Ronald Price (Ron) or best known to us Ronnie! If anyone remembers him, please email me on pricelessdp@hotmail.co.uk 🙂 fingers crossed!!
Hi, I’m sorry not to be able to tell you anything about your grandad. I too am doing research into my grandad, and his father, William George Pardew Stanbury (WGPS). In the process I have come across reference in National Archives papers to Emerys Hotel in Brighton. Apparently WGPS was a complete womaniser and his first wife, Nellie Cox, filed for divorce in 1898 citing his many affairs, and mentioning that he spent half his time living at Emery’s Hotel!
Maud Sollinger, my great grandmother was a cook in the employment of Mr. E.B.Greenhalgh, of Emery`s Hotel, Queens Road, Brighton. Whether he was manager or owner I`m unsure. This information came to light on a document relating to her internment on the Isle of Man following the outbreak of World War Two. She had married an Austrian 35 yrs earlier and so was considered an enemy alien by the state and sent with her husband (head waiter at The Metropole) to the camp.
This is where Squire Henry Talbot de Vere Clifton lived out his last years. Once one of the wealthiest and biggest landowners in the north west of England. He inherited the family seat of Lytham Hall in 1928 after the death of his father, Squire John Talbot Clifton.
Henry, or Harry as he was better known, dissipated the family wealth on gambling and partying all over the globe. He lost the family estate in 1963 due to crippling debts. It had been owned by the Clifton family since 1606 when Harry’s ancestor Sir Cuthbert Clifton built it.
Harry became a bit of a recluse and moved to Brighton where he had a lady friend. He died in 1979 at the aged of 72 from heart problems.
I am a guide at Lytham Hall and I have written a book about Harry Clifton, the former Squire of Lytham, who spent his last years at Emery’s Hotel. He was very interested in the paranormal so might have liked that aspect of the Hotel. The book is to be sold to raise money toward the upkeep of Lytham Hall, a grade 1 listed building owned by Lytham Town Trust. I am now looking for photographs to go in the book and would like one of Emery’s Hotel. Can anyone put me in touch with Bob Duxton who’s photo of the Hotel is on this blog or give me permission to use it?
Hi I’m Lisa Hyde , now Lisa Burton.
I lived in the basement with my mum and grandma for a lot of years .this hotel was owned by my family.
Please get in touch as I remember very little about my childhood xx
Hi Robert. I never stayed in the hotel (as far as I know), but my grandfather Gordon was brother to Meg (my great aunt) I’ve never had much knowledge of my family and family name until now. I would love to know more and if I have other family. It would be great to hear from you and learn a little morem Find me on Facebook as Andi Cornwell.
I am Bill Franchuk, a Canadian. In the late 70’s, I think 1976 0r 1977, I spent about three months in the U.K.. I used Brighton as a ‘base’ for my travels on a Britrail pass. When in Brighton, I stayed at Emery’s. Sometimes just overnight and sometimes for a week or so. My Parents in Canada even sent me a few letters there, and the people at Emery’s hung on to them for me if I was travelling somewhere. I remember that there were a few ‘long stay’ characters that lived there and it was sure a great place. I recall one evening that a large group of us were relaxing in the social area, with a few drinks, and we had people from a great many countries in that room. I would love to stay there again, or at least see it again – if ever I get back to Brighton. Back then I was a naive 18 or 19 year old on my first independent trip. It was great to find a safe and comfortable place like that to return to after a week or two on trains all over the U.K.
I’m Julie, Bill & Mary’s daughter. l don’t have that many memories of the hotel, I stayed downstairs often, with my grandma, Auntie & cousins. Although I do have dreams about it still, the basement was pretty scary for me, had some nice times. I would really like to find my cousin Karen, it’s been too long.
I remember uncle Derek the most, he was very funny, I always called him my favourite uncle. I was born, a Cornwell… My grandparents owned the hotel, & left it to their children. My dad being Bill. My mum & dad ran the coffee bar.
About 55 years ago plus I had left Hove College without O levels. I had a long wait that year get O levels for to qualify for a full time course at Worthing College of Ed, now Northbrook. I found a job as a full-time waiter at Emerys Hotel so was there for some months.
I remember two of the brothers and sister who were always very kind and have good memories of something I enjoyed. The restaurant was very busy at times especially on race days. Wooden trays of pre-baked chips were delivered and the other waiter Charles would add his cigarette ash to the pot of soup when passing which bubbled and was topped up all week: must admit always put me off soup when out since. Trifle was popular but always offered ice-cream as there was a good mark up. I think egg and chips or steak were always popular. One of the brothers did the cooking and an elderly lady did the washing up.
When quiet I also enjoyed egg and chips, and cooked it if nobody cooking for lone customers. Never bored as always people passing even Sir Lawrence Olivier walking back from the station. I can’t remember shops either side. I think Charles Clarke the barbers were later…
Only found this site as couldn’t remember spelling of the family name – e or a.
I was told Emerys was the last family owned Brighton Hotel.
Does anyone know who ran this hotel? I’m looking for family of William Henry Emery known as Bill he came from Brighton to Portsmouth to marry and live with Marguerite Bryant known as Pax whos children are Malcolm Trevor and May who are siblings of my friend via their dad. His name’s Andy White. He lost contact with them few years ago. He would love to get back in contact.
Emery’s Hotel got its name from the people who started it back in the 1800s. Although the name of the hotel stuck, it looks as though it passed out of the Emery family’s hands some time back.
The following info is from street directories:
P. J. Emery was running a lodging house (unnamed) at 106 Queen’s Road in 1877 and 1878.
In 1880 Thomas Emery was running The Temperance Hotel at 100-101 QR.
In 1886, still in the hands of Thomas Emery, the Temperance Hotel’s address changed to 41-42 QR. I don’t know if that’s because it moved premises, or because Queen’s Road was re-numbered.
In 1899 it was Mrs Emery in charge. She was still running it in 1920, by which time it was trading as “Emery’s Temperance Hotel” and had expanded to occupy 39-42 QR.
Although it continued trading as Emery’s Hotel, the proprietor between 1923 and 1931 was James Taylor. After 1931 the street directories give no indication of the proprietor’s identity.
http://www.mhms.org.uk/content/directories
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