Mystery photos of Brighton and Hove
Watercolour painting
By Stuart Cropper
I would be very interested to know if anyone can identify the buildings in this watercolour. I think they are in Brighton although that is only because I bought the painting locally.
It is signed and dated "R.E Kirkbright 1941".The signs on the front of the pub read 'Tamplins United Service' and the name above the shop window is "A.H Bristow.
The following research has now been provided by Andy Grant, and Tony Mould has photographed the site as it is now.
By the 1870’s the development of Elm Grove had spread as far eastwards as Cobden Road. The premises shown on the southwest corner of Elm Grove and Cobden Road was probably built around 1871 and was originally numbered 50, later being changed to 105 and then once again to 100. It was occupied from the outset by a 52 year old former army staff-sergeant and Chelsea out-pensioner, (William) George Sparshott, recently removed from Hanover Terrace. The premises were opened later in that same year as a beer house, which Sparshott named the ‘United Service’, possibly after the London Officer’s Club of the same name. However, Sparshott did not remain there very long. The beer-house was subsequently acquired by the Albion Brewery and the new publican, Charles Knight was installed. In 1892 Tamplin’s Brewery bought the Albion Brewery and all 35 of its pubs, including the ‘United Service’. The premises remained in Tamplin’s hands until its closure in 1963.
Watercolour painting
From the private collection of Stuart Cropper
Photographed in 2012
Photo by Tony Mould
This page was added on 17/06/2012.