Shopping used to be a pleasure

The Royal George Inn, George Street. Photographed 17 November 1964, demolished in 1965 and replaced by the Pricerite Supermarket. Click on image to open a large version in a new window.
Image reproduced with kind permission of The Regency Society and The James Gray Collection

Sainsbury’s butter patts

I remember George Street very well from the 1950s into the early 1960s. My Uncle Frank worked in the Sainsbury’s store there; it had beautiful heavy tiled walls which were brown, green and cream. I loved to watch the butter being prepared for sale. Of course it was sold loose then, and was patted into shape and individually wrapped. Because the food was on open display then, I can still remember the wonderful smell of the open counters. Does anyone remember the broken biscuit shop? My mum took us in once a week.

A book lover’s treasure trove

Lane’s bookshop was a treasure store for me. Mr Lane I remember well, he was so helpful always willing to talk about books and make recommendations. Most of the paperbacks were one shilling in old money. Mr Lane would buy them back from you for 6d when you’d finished, although I kept all my favourites. I have had a life long love of books and reading, which I largely attribute to Mr Lane and his shop.

Flying cash tubes

I recall the Stuart Norris department store had a cash system of vacuum tubes that fascinated me as a small boy. The shop assistants sent money flying to the cashier’s office in these tubes; a few moments later back came a receipt and the change. De Marcos Ice Cream Parlour was a favourite stop, Coe’s fish shop, the two record shops – great memories. If only shopping was such a pleasure today.

Comments about this page

  • Is this George Street Brighton, or George Street Hove?

    By John Leach (04/09/2013)
  • South’ish end of George Street Hove I would say.

    By Phil Drayton-Morris (05/09/2013)
  • This was George Street, Hove. The Royal George was about 2/3 roads down on the west side of the street.  By the way Lane’s bookshop was in Blatchington Road, sorry I didn’t make that clear.

    By Brian Basterra (30/04/2014)
  • Great to see a really clear shot of the George Street Inn Pub…number91/93…I think it opened in 1860…ran to 1964 as stated…demolished in 1965. I love delving into the history of Brighton and Hove…having known the city for 40 years and living in Hove for nearly 30 years.
    The new pub that has replaced Weatherspoons..12/121995-5/3/2023…is called the Royal George…opening on 8th of August 2023.

    By Matthew W Jones (01/09/2023)

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