My great grandfather owned two grocery stores in St James's Street.  'Blaker Stores' number 24 was the main store, and was sold to Sainsburys in 1922.  That store was on the corner of Dorset Gardens, the other one was 29 St James's Street.

I lived next to Sainsburys over Clarks Bread Shop from 1947 till 1954. In 1952 two escapees from Borstal tried to break into Sainsburys through their roof (all the shops had flat roofs at the rear of the buildings). I rang the Police, yes we had a telephone in those days, and the youths were caught. Sainsburys gave me a cheque for Five Pounds. Black and white cheque that I had to sign on the back. Such a large amount of money.I had to go to the Court and these lads spat at me in the court. I was so frightened of them but they were sent back to Borstal. Spent the money on much needed clothes.

I lived in St James's Street from when I was born in 1956 till I was 19 years old. We lived at 51 opposite this picture. My family had a greengrocers called 'Croucher'. It later changed into a fish and chip shop, and today is a Chinese. Every day I walked to school up Rock Gardens to Queens Park School.

My Grandfather (Leonard Deadman) ran a men's outfitters called "Rodmans Ltd" at 3 St James Street till it shut in the early 1960s. I believe he worked there from 1932 after he moved from Slough where he was manager of the Slough branch of Rodmans.

My g-g-grandfather, John Henley, was a tailor with a shop at 77 St James's Street in the 1830s (and 1840s?). Presumably next door to or opposite the shop at No.78 in the photo. His father, William, was an upholsterer who may also have worked from the same shop. After John married in 1838 he moved to Vine Place (his father-in-law was William Vine, miller), but his mother Ann still lived above the shop. Would appreciate any further information, or old photos of this shop.

Colin Webb is right, the date cannot be earlier than 1939 as the double twin wires of trolleybus service 42 are shown. This also suggests an end date as the 42 service was abandoned when the trollybus routes were cut back to just the 26/26a/46/46a services on 24/3/1959 so this picture was probably not taken any later than 1959. The advert for Ovaltine headed " ARP" (Air Raid Prevention?) suggests wartime, or just after.

This is a photo of my grandfather's greengrocer's shop in St James' street. The family lived above the shop and then moved to Abbey Road, Kemp Town. I think the shop was there from about 1914 until the late 1930's and was well-known for its specialty produce. My aunt Lillian sometimes worked in the shop as a young woman. My grandmother's name was Mabel Lawrence and she came from Lewes.

My Grandfather George Candlin was in the greengrocery trade in Greenwich in the late 1890s. In 1891 a relation, John Candlin moved from London to Hove and traded as a shoemaker in George Street. I was curious to see a comment by a Patricia Candlin, which is my maiden name. Having lived in Brighton since 1950 I have realised my namesake lived in Brighton too. At one time we both used Batemans in East Street as our opticians. It would be interesting to know if we were related.

Hi, I am interested to know if any of the two Pat Candlin's had any links with Shropshire (Myddle). A Richard left for London in the 18 century, I think he was a victualler. There was also families of the same name around Wellington and Oswestry. I am descendant from George Candlin b 1765, in Myddle. Kind regards.

Would anyone happen to know what Devonshire Mansions (block of flats corner St James St/Devonshire Place) used to be called when it was a hotel in late 1800s or early 1900s? I know there was a hotel called New Steine at some point, on the same road, opposite side. There was also a ladies tailors in the building on the ground level called S.D?itz (not sure of missing letter as I can t see on the old photo I have) Many thanks for any help or info/pictures anyone might have. Thank you.

Reply to David Candlin. No connection with my Candlin family as they were London and Brighton based. Good luck with your searching.

Further to Patricia Candlin (24/12/2007); Hopefully you still look at this site.
Through combined research with another family member, we think that we may be related, the link is Henry Candlin b1869 (your grandfather). If Henry's father was John b1842 in Greenwich then that would confirm our belief.

Does anyone know about a family who lived at 5 St James's Street by the name of Wilkinson with showbiz connections? In fact one of the daughters, who called herself Hedy or Heidi, lived there right up into the 1980s or early 1990s when I think she was knocked down by a car. I would like to try to get in touch with her son.

If any of these people ever come back to this page: To Stephen Henley; 77 St James's Street is immediately to the left of the two photos shown above on the other side of Rock Grove which is the road between them. From very early in the 1900s it was Avery's Photographers shop latterly run by my uncle Leslie Avery until he retired about 1984. It is now a Taiwanese restaurant. Somewhere I possibly have a photograph. My mother did her photography apprenticeship there with Leslie's father in the 1920s. To the Candlins: In the 1950s & early 60s there was a Judith Candlin lived in Sussex Square. I believe she had a younger brother. My mother was in touch with their mother after we left Brighton and somewhere I might be able to find her address book if of interest or know someone who might from the old Sussex Square days. Tim (at) permanden .co.uk if anyone needs to get in touch. My wife's Gt grandfather John Laing Humphries was born in Brighton and is shown in the 1881 census as having a drapers and tobacconists shop at No 41 St James's Street which has been demolished so we haven't been able to find any photographs of that either. TCS.