Palace Pier

Early 1960s photograph

By Christopher Wrapson

A spooky view

I think that this is a rather spooky view the Palace Pier; it was taken in the early 1960s. This night time view of the Palace Pier makes me think of an elderly lady who has fallen asleep and left all the lights on!  Apart from a few shadowy figures on the breakwater and pavement there’s not a soul to be seen on what appears to be a very calm, still, summer evening. 

A magical place

Perhaps everyone went home early after spending a long hot sticky day on Brighton beach? Or maybe it was the lull before the storm? I do remember in that era, most of the Palace Pier closed down mid evening. However, the lights were left on as part of the seafront illuminations, and also for the benefit of late night theatre goers. As a child in the 1950s, the Palace Pier was truly a magical place for me. It was certainly a world away from the theme park attraction it is nowadays.