London Road St. Leonards

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Mike Peckham
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Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:36 pm

London Road St. Leonards

Postby Mike Peckham » Thu Apr 23, 2020 12:09 pm

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

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Richard
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Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:36 pm

Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby Richard » Fri Apr 24, 2020 10:56 am

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

whiffler
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2014 9:18 pm

Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby whiffler » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:07 pm

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.

cbe
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Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:29 pm

Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby cbe » Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:30 pm

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.
Attachments
peckham.PNG

whiffler
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2014 9:18 pm

Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby whiffler » Sun Apr 26, 2020 8:42 am

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.
Last edited by whiffler on Wed May 06, 2020 9:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

whiffler
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2014 9:18 pm

Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby whiffler » Sun Apr 26, 2020 9:59 am

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.

cbe
Posts: 580
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Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby cbe » Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:29 pm

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

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Richard
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Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby Richard » Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:53 pm

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?

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Richard
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Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby Richard » Tue May 05, 2020 6:29 pm

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

whiffler
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2014 9:18 pm

Re: London Road St. Leonards

Postby whiffler » Wed May 06, 2020 9:16 am

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.


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