I lived opposite the Windsor Castle at my parent's restaurant - this was situated at number 15 and was called The Express Dining Rooms. We used to open at 5.30.am on Bank Holidays to serve the early arrivals on the excursion trains from the Midlands. Next door at the corner with Church Street was a shoe shop; Freeman Hardy and Willis.  Number 14 was Girling's cycle shop where I bought my first bike for 2/6d per week (30p today). Next to the pub was a bespoke tailor, then a pawnshop, and then the office of Durtnalls, removals and storage. On the high pavement was the doctor's surgery - Dr. Frazer who was private, and Dr.Corr who looked after those who paid through a friendly society. Windstons's the printers was a couple of doors up in the semi-basement where I could see the machine working through the window.

My ancestors, The Youngs, had a bespoke boot and shoe business at 122 Queen's Road (down a couple of buildings from The Windsor Castle) from about 1856 to the 1890's. Unfortunately when I went to research this building I was saddened to see it had been demolished. If possible would Tony be willing to contact me if he has any information on the size and interiors of the houses on Queen's Road? I would really appreciate any information.

In 1962, my father took over the newsagent shop  between the Eagle Star building and the Oddfellows Hall. These buildings have been demolished for new office buildings. The striking memory of that time was that Brighton was the range of foreign newspapers and international sport magazines as well as the shrink wrapped copies of Fanny Hill and the Kama Sutra. I remember most of the redevelopment that happened around West Street and Churchill Square as I explored and climbed over the demolition and building sites, avioding builders and security guards who were always too slow. I was a boy scout at St Peter's church and remember the old abattoir that lies beneath the Churchill Square car parks. Any information or images of the Oddfellows Hall and the newsagent would be of interest.

Does anyone remember the music shop, Hayllars, at Number 7? It was right by a bus stop. My father, Fred Neale, married Mary Hayllar some 40 odd years ago and worked in the shop with her for many years, repairing and re-dipping musical instruments. The inside of the shop instantly transported one back to olden times, with little wooden compartments and drawers to house all the little nicky-nacky-noo things required by musicians. It always reminded me of a scene from a Charles Dickens book. I believe that before it was a music shop Mary's father and mother ran an electrical business from the same premises. Dad and Mary have long since retired and the shop was gutted and refitted. What a shame!

Oddfellows Hall, Queens Road: In January 1950 I was called up to do my 2-year national service and had to report to Oddfellows Hall for my medical. When I arrived there were several other lads waiting and we were ushered into a large room and told to strip off and to bundle our clothes on the chair. We then had to form a queue at the far end of the room. I found it amusing watching the shy lads trying to hide their nakedness. Having had our medical we were then asked what service we wished to join. I chose the guards but they put me in the Royal Engineers as I was underweight

Yes I remember the Music shop and HMStanley Jewellers( also in North Street) and Barrie Davis the Timex watch man, Clapshaw and Cleave the Sports Shop and on the second floor a Dickension Scene of a Jewellery Workshop where we would heat dishes of Potassium Cyanide solutions on a gas ring, two inches away from the 'pickle', an earthenware bowl filled with Acid.
Yes, this combination of deadly gas chamber chemicals, were kept within inches of each other during heating and only six feet apart in use. The cyanide was used as a medium to transfer fine gold, from an anode to an article attached to the cathode and powered by a bell battery. This was the Gilding process.
The acid was used as a medium to bleach the oxidisation of the soldering/melting process of the precious metals, prior to polishing and finally gilding.
I at 15yrs. old and armed with nothing more than a hand written bill head from my employer, would go to Glaiyser & Kemp, wholesale chemists, I think Red Cross or White Cross Street, and walk out with a one pound jar of potassium cyanide, and carry it round the streets of Brighton and Hove all day as I visited the town's jewellery and watchmaking outlets.
What chance of that today?

Who remembers the Continentale Patisserie, opposite Clapshaw and Cleave. It was run by an Austrian Lady, Mrs. Marcus and her husband 'Bertie', who was partially disabled. The Baker was George a lovely man and as well as Apple Strudel and Almond and Vanilla Slices to die for, they produced bread and rolls that were to live for.

My Dad used to take us out on Sundays and walked us everywhere - even from Brighton to Rottingdean and we used to get the bus back. We often walked up Queens Road and looked in the window at the glass animals being made; we were enthralled. I know the shop is still there but I suppose the glass animals are a thing of the past.

My grandad owned Johnsons Photographic shop in Queens Road. Does anyone remember it?