Key road once ran through a meadow

One is Sudley Road which runs along 'the back of Boot's', has street parking and is quite central when shopping.

The road was originally named to commemorate the 3rd Earl of Arran, Viscount Sudley of Gore, who for a number of years was a landowner in Bognor.

The road was originally built through what was only a meadow in 1878. It contains a number of interesting and historical buildings.

Prior to this there was only a short stretch of highway open for the public from the High Street, and it can be seen as a cul-de-sac on an 1890s street map.

If we start at the northern end of the road today, we find the Recital Centre, which was previously a church, run by Christian Scientists, which was opened on June 23, 1957. This site, in August, 1942, fell victim to German bombs, and one house simply vanished into a huge crater. The premises were specifically designed to fit into the area and were constructed from red Roman roof tiles from Bridgwater in Somerset.

Outside the building, there is an interesting display of multi-coloured tiles and these came from Ockley in Surrey.

The church contained many other interesting features, which were a far cry from the previous site of the church in Argyle Circus, which they had occupied from 1930.

This road was also known for the rear view of St John's church, one of the most popular churches in the town. The vicarage was situated in Sudley Road, and part of the flint wall from the church site can still be seen around the car park of Boot's and W H Smith, which seems to be such a small reminder of such a prominent building in the town centre.

During the 1970s, this church was demolished and replaced by the shops we know today. On the east side of the road is Twyford's, which, from 1936, was a small private maternity hospital for a number of years.

Still on the east side we have the Bognor Club situated in a very historic building. This building was erected in 1837 and was the Assembly Rooms for the town.

The early short section of road was in reality to allow people to visit these premises.

By 1893 the general meeting of the Bognor Club stated it was able to report that it 'had negotiated the lease for the premises'.

The town council then occupied these premises for a number of years and it was also used for entertainment purposes.

In 1886, the building underwent considerable alterations, including the insertion of a small wrought-iron gallery which contained the word 'love' worked into the ironwork, for no apparent reason.

During the 1950s, there were numerous reports in the press with regard to the changing face of Sudley Road.

Much of this had resulted from the change of use of the good residential premises into office properties.

However, I was interested to read in one report that this road was now to be considered for professional use and it was considered also to be one of the main bus routes, due to the fact 12 buses per hour passed along the road.

The press reported that it would never be suitable for private residences again!

At a local tribunal in 1953 '“ which was reporting on rent reductions '“ they remarked that Sudley Road was a '˜most desirable road in the town for offices'.

The report continued that there was a good mix of professions, with solicitors, turf commissioners, and other professional people.

During the 1960s, there were also plans for the removal of some premises and the building of blocks of flats. However these were rejected, at that time, due to safety reasons and future town developments.

Further along the road is the United National Spiritualist Church which was built in 1961, and is still well used.

Previously, this church had occupied a site in Argyle Circus, as did so many groups of this nature.

The local church was founded in 1940 and was developed over the coming years; until finally it had a large enough congregation and building fund to allow it to develop the new premises in the centre of the town.

The next prominent building is Bradlaw House.

It was originally called St David's around 1905. This imposing building has been the home to a variety of trades and professions.

According to the 1953 Kelly's directory, Mrs NB Bradlaw was still in residence next to a photographer and a turf accountant. By 1964, it was occupied by a dental surgeon and chartered accountant, with an office for an ordnance survey company.

By 1972, a club had taken up residence, which of course remains today. On the opposite side of the road was a very popular shop '“ Coplestone House. It was originally part of a Regency terrace built in the 1820s by William Kimber Wonham, one of the town's speculators. It was built to match and fit in with the outward appearance of the Bognor Club.

The Sudley Terrace facing into the High Street was built in 1827 and by 1903, number 4 was the home of the Coplelstone Bakery, which proclaimed only '˜pure butter and other carefully selected ingredients' were used in its high-class cakes. At this time, it would appear Bognor felt itself to be cosmopolitan and the bakery's advertising included this French phrase: '˜Les orders solent rescues en Francais'.

Eventually the bakers left and the premises were taken over by Miss Lillian Unwin who opened a millinery and blouse shop.

For a number of years it was possible to see her name depicted in tiles on the floor of the store entrance.

In 1946, the store was taken over by Bernard Lush, who with his wife developed the Coplestone House store. They expanded into number 3 and, within ten years, expanded even further when they had an extension built into Sudley Road.

This store sold fashion, sportswear and lingerie. It also sold clothes specifically for teenagers. Over the years, this store built up an excellent reputation with its own clientele. A number of people with whom I have discussed this store have vivid memories of its London fashions and the fact it was quite an upmarket shop for the town.

Another woman remembered having an account with the store. She did say that though she could not afford to buy anything there, she did have an account.

The next time you decide to park in Sudley Road, just take the time to have a look around at a road that has many interesting and historical connections.