My Brighton and Hove | Topics | Community | Lesbian & Gay | Cripes

Contribute

User name: Password:

Cripes

Cripes Restaurant, Victoria Road, Brighton

Brighton Gay Switchboard 1979

By Linda, lesbian activist

"7 Victoria Road is Cripes Restaurant now, but in 1979 it was Green's Vegetarian Restaurant and right at the top was a tiny room they let out to Brighton Gay Switchboard. Every evening a volunteer would be there to answer calls for information and advice."

Image and text from the 'My Brighton' museum exhibit

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

A couple of other points regards Cripes, Victoria Road that may be of interest. Until just a year or two ago there was an Italian restaurant just down from Cripes.( Picollos?) It was in a basement next to Headroom the Barbershop (Previously Freddies cutting shop famous in the Punk days. Headroom itself was used as a location in the feature film Wimbledon, although it was turned into a betting shop. If you look opposite you can see a fake door painted for the film on the corner of the Doctor's surgery. I recall that it became a florist. Elsewhere on this site are links to two great pictures of pubs. One was where the fake door is and the other at the end of Victoria Road where it abutts Clifton terrace. This was called The Clifton and is easily recognisable today. At the side road to the nearby children's hospital, are some old flint storage buildings with interesting reliefs and door furniture. These buildings are amongst the oldest in the area and maybe even as old as the work house mentioned on this site. The structures I believe were part of the old farm. Today I passed by and there is a planning application sign to convert the stores into a community centre for the Clifton and Montpelier "conversation" areas.

By SJS (01/01/1900)

In the late sixties, early seventies, it was Open Cafe, a hippie hangout where you could read Brighton Voice and other such subversive press with your dandelion coffee.

By Kate Palmer (03/10/2003)

Unfortunately, Cripes has been closed for some years and is now being redeveloped to residential premises - so it seems its time as a commercial premises is over. This is a shame as it is part of the area's character.

By MD (08/04/2004)

What happened to the Brighton Voice and the wonderful editors and contributors who worked so hard on it?

By Cin (07/06/2004)

As one of the comments states 'Sadly no longer there!' Does anyone out there know the reason why such a fab restaurant would warrant closing - or have they relocated ? I would love to hear from anyone who has any information regarding this matter.

By Roger Meekings (19/01/2005)

I had many a happy evening at Cripes. An old friend Bill Boyes was the chef and fellow lifeguard. Interestingly a Cripes opened in Exeter some years ago (now shut) but it transpired it was opened by the original owner of Cripes who sold up and moved west....like me.

By Martin Scrace (12/08/2005)

Any one remember Bruno at Open? He died a few years back and Adam Trimmingham did a front page tribute in the Argus. As well as the Brighton Voice, I recall a duplicated magazine called Atilla. The dandelion coffee was excellent accompanied by a bowl of brown rice. Good times.

By SJS. (17/01/2006)

The restaurant referred to by SJS was called 'La Pergola'. I now live there.

By Rich (25/08/2006)

Yes what a great institution Cripes was. I was very fortunate to own the place from 1988 until March 2000. In answer to Roger Meekings as to what happened, well I sold the place on to Tony Baker who then owned the 'Dorset Bar' and 'Dig in the ribs' and it was Tony's decision to change the place into residential which I understand it never had been. Unfortunately Tony died in October 2005 and never saw the results of his plans. For me Cripes was the most exciting period of my life and I have extremely fond memories of the place, the lovely customers that were always very loyal to the place and the wonderful staff, particularly Graham, the chef who stayed with me for most of it. If any of my regular customers from that time read this and would like to keep in touch that would be great! Has anyone noticed that there is not another creperie in this town that is now awash with restaurants!

By Joy (01/04/2007)

I remember the opening of Cripes (1979?). I was at work when John phoned me at about 4 pm. WE NEED HELP and that was it. I became a waitress.
For those of you that go way back. What's the connection between Great American Disaster, Asterix and Cripes ?

By Angie (25/09/2007)

Re Open Cafe, and Bruno, who I just about remember: When I was about 8 years old my mother took me there. There was a woman in there who was completely 'spaced out' who I remember being fascinated by my innocence. I have repeatedly looked for any mention of Open Cafe on the internet as that one visit was very evocative of the general atmosphere of the time. So sorry that Bruno has passed away. Others that people may remember from that time... Derek (American or Canadian), Marek and Yatek Laskowski (Polish brothers), Daniel and Jaime Chatan (Mexican? sorry about spelling), Rick Zienko, Peter Marshall, Sheila Troy and Sian Jackson, Wesley Waring and many more. Also Marek helped organise the Roy Wood concert. Memories indeed. I was too young to try the beverages on offer at Open Cafe!

By Chloe Arrowsmith (13/12/2007)

A bit late I fear but if anyone has any more info on Open, I'd be really interested to hear about it - any stories or anecdotes or anything. Both my parents (Alan and Caroline) were involved in running it and the only thing I have is an old newspaper cutting, unfortunately not with me. I've just moved to Brighton and am fascinated by this part of my parents' lives - they have both passed away. Thanks.

By Aoife Dare (26/10/2008)

Aoife, I do remember your dad, just about I think, and certainly my mum would. Did he go to Wales? We went there in 73. My mum's name is Lesley, and she was a clothes designer, my brother and sister are Nicky and Eugenie. We lived on Clifton St before we moved. If your dad did live in Wales did he live in Aberarth? So sorry you have lost them both.

By Chloe Arrowsmith (06/11/2008)