Hastings Forum

Does anyone have access to a Hastings Directory from the period 1890 - 1910? I am interested to know what was at 11 London Rd. St Leonards at that time, specifically, was it a Grocers Store?

My Great Grandfather Charles Peckham's brother David, lived at 11 London Rd. and his occupation was given as Grocer's Manager. I know he worked for Cave Austins, and I wondered if he was living over the shop, as it were.

I've checked Google Maps, and the building that's there now is much later, so it gives no clues.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Hi Mike,

I don't have directories, though they come up from time to time on ebay, they tend to be expensive and of course the libraries, which certainly hold a good range, are currently closed.
If you contact the following people they may have ideas on accessing the directories.

https://www.ralongleypublications.co.uk ... kellys-cd/

Big national publishers like Kelly's began compiling directories for Hastings in 1888, continuing until the early 1970s, when ‘free’ telephone directories proved too much competition.
More local publisher such as Pike’s, first covered Hastings from 1876.
Pigot's began much earlier?
So Kelly's may be your best bet!

Only reference i can find to Cave Austin's:

https://aim25.com/cats/118/20203.htm

1955 map shows 9 & 11 as Ruin, as a few others on that junction. Maybe you'll find a reference in the wartime bomb damage, which will always mention the pubs and sometimes other business premises.

Hi Mike

That was probably the store but he probably didn't live there as there is another address
shown on the 1911 census entry. (see attached)
It's strange though that the London Rd shows as well as Norman Rd.
You can only be at one address on the night of the census so it seems strange that the
enumerators allowed this entry to pass.

Early maps show 11 London Rd as a small site on the corner, with the adjacent Norman Rd shown as 'Coal Store'.

Later maps show a single site, as an inverted L-shape.

Maybe the shop was enlarged to incorporate 28 NR. (oops, meant 26 as 28 is on opposite corner to 11LR)

Somewhere in the gallery there's possibly a shot across that junction looking toward the cinema.

https://www.1066online.co.uk/gallery/ol ... an-road-01


Norman Rd, looking east across London rd.

Edwardian ?. Shop on right of photo is the L-shaped site.

Good spot Whiffler - I'm not a local and so depend on records without actual
knowledge of road locations.

It appears likely that the shop at 11. London Road was very likely a Grocery Store at one time but without 'Directory' confirmation we remain in the dark, or in the coal store?

Mr Peckham was not impressed by the efforts of others to help?
I thought cbe and whiffler were most helpful.

Not bothered as mine was background info. I enjoy the old map and photo resources, others have census and/or directory info to hand.

As in the Bushby House mystery, it's the thrill of the chase. A former colleague of mine says it's 'a man thing', as a woman's curiosity goes in other directions, but in the current climate it's a welcome distraction.