These photos of Brighton in the Thirties are from a collection of photographs of buildings demolished at that time, belonging to Brighton Borough Council Environmental Department. They were commissioned from the photographer Vawdrey of 16a Dyke Road, 'principally to form a collection of records relating to clearance, and also for internal use to demonstrate those features of unfitness upon which the cases for clearance were based'.

This selection of photographs were taken by JJ Waller at iconic locations throughout the city. They all feature a person reading The Long Song, the chosen book in the 2011 City Reads project. The concept of City Reads is simple: selecting one book by one author for the whole community to read, discuss, debate and creatively engage with in a series of special events, workshops and performances.

These photos of costumed actors were taken in the 1930s and donated to QueenSpark Books by Eileen Goding at a public collection day in Saltdean. Most were taken by Fellows Willson.

Here you can browse photographs of Gloucester Road taken by local resident, David Sawyers over three decades. Gloucester Road in the North Laine runs from Queens Road down to Victoria Gardens and offers a mix of unique shops and businesses all vying for passing trade. David's photographs vividly show how the busy thoroughfare leading to Brighton Station has changed since the 1980s and continues to renew itself.

Guest curator Mark Power, Professor of photography at the University of Brighton and member of the infamous photographers co-operative Magnum, selects his favourite twenty five images from the collection...
"I've lived in Brighton since 1978, moving from the suburbs of Leicester to go to art school. I loved Brighton then, as I still do today. But - especially after looking through the website - how I regret that I failed to document the town as it was, as it looked, way back then.”

Read Mark’s full commentary.