Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Brighton Railway Station was far more than just a passenger hub – it was a vital economic and social centre, shaping the daily lives of the city’s residents. Functioning as both a trading station and a transport gateway, the station facilitated the movement of goods, people, and ideas, making it one of the most significant sites in Brighton’s history.
A Centre of Commerce and Industry
Brighton Railway Station played a crucial role in importing and exporting goods, serving local businesses and industries. The Goods Yard was a hive of activity, where traders handled coal, foodstuffs, and raw materials essential for the city’s economy.
The Cab Road was another essential feature, providing a space where fly proprietors, cab drivers, and stable workers earned their livelihoods. Horses were a key part of the station’s ecosystem, leading to the establishment of stables and a horse hospital nearby, catering to the welfare of working animals.
A Social and Business Meeting Point
Brighton Railway Station was also a place of connection. People from all walks of life – businessmen, traders, tourists, and locals – gathered there, whether for travel, work, or social interaction. Including lawful and illicit activities and business.
A Place of War and Healing
During both World War I and World War II, Brighton Railway Station became a focal point for military efforts. In WWI, hospital trains arrived carrying wounded soldiers from the Western Front, many of whom were treated at the Royal Pavilion, repurposed as a war hospital for British and Indian troops.
In WWII, the station’s Goods Tunnel was repurposed into wartime offices, and the station itself endured heavy bombing during the Brighton Blitz, with 56 Luftwaffe attacks between 1940 and 1944.
Brighton Railway Station’s Legacy
Brighton Railway Station was a place of movement, exchange, and transformation. It connected business and trade, social mobility, and wartime resilience, playing a central role in the city’s development. From cab drivers and railway workers to traders and wartime medics, its history is woven into the fabric of Brighton’s past – a place where commerce, industry, and human stories intersected every day.
