Conservation Area (CA)
No CA
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0073
Description
George Street was constructed as artisan dwellings in the mid 19th century, but now forms one of Hove’s primary shopping streets. Number 85 George Street formerly housed the Hove Volunteer Fire Brigade Station, which opened c.1879 (in conjunction with the formation of the Volunteer Brigade), and operated in tandem with the professional Fire Establishment. A watch room was constructed to the rear first floor in 1908 by Lainson & Son. It later became part of the professional fire brigade in 1914. Photographs survive of the property from 1910 and 1914. The brigade remained at these premises until 1926, when it moved to larger premises on Hove Street (assessed separately). The building is of two storeys and is located in a terrace of similarly-scaled buildings. Shopfront to ground floor, with a large modern fascia. Central window above. Hove Crest located within the parapet. Source: Middleton 2002, http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume13/source/jg_13_134.html, http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume13/source/jg_13_121.html
B. Historical and Evidential Interest
ii. The building illustrates an early phase in the development of a firefighting service for Hove. Brighton and Hove were early in forming Fire Establishments in 1831; that for Hove was based at the police station at 62 Brunswick Street West (now the Bow Street Runner Public House). The Hove Volunteer Fire Brigade was established in 1879 and operated alongside the professional service. Nationally, the ‘heydey’ of fire station construction began in the 1860s, of which this building forms part. It is one of the earliest surviving fire stations in the city, and is the earliest to survive in Hove. The surviving Hove Crest is a reminder of the historically more localised administration of such services.
C. Townscape Interest
ii. The building is not located within a conservation area. Despite alteration, the building – particularly the Hove crest – adds character and interest to the streetscape.
E. Rarity and Representativeness
i. Represents the development of a professional firefighting service in Hove, when these services were provided on a much more localised basis.
F. Intactness
i. The building has been much altered, but it still retains its original openings. It is possible that the original lettering ‘Hove Fire Station’ survives behind the fascia
Date of Inclusion
Pre-2015
