Above images – Left: Representative staff, Brighton Station, 1928. Right: Railway Athletic, circa 1921. Both images courtesy of Brighton & Hove Museums.
The Who section of the website delves into the lives of those who shaped and sustained Brighton Railway Station’s ecosystem – cab drivers, fly proprietors, station workers, and those who built and maintained the infrastructure.
The station’s Cab Road was more than a transport hub; it was a microcosm of Brighton society. Figures like William Steers and Samuel Mewett, both fly proprietors, provided essential transport for passengers arriving in the city. John Fabian, a master builder, played a crucial role in shaping the physical structure of the Cab Road, ensuring smooth operations for the carriages and their drivers. The industry was tough, with long hours and unpredictable wages, and cab drivers often had to navigate changing regulations, competition, and disputes over fares.
Brighton’s cab trade also had its share of intrigue and crime. James Jackson, for example, found himself at the centre of a major scandal involving stolen railway oil. Meanwhile, debates over horse welfare and working conditions highlighted the broader social and economic changes affecting cab drivers and their steeds.
The role of women in the cab trade evolved over time. Though once considered unsuitable for women, by the late 19th century, it became more common to see female cab drivers, reflecting shifts in social norms and economic necessity. Through census records, newspaper reports, and personal stories, this section reveals some of the histories of those who lived and worked in and around Brighton Railway Station’s Cab Road.
