5:28pm Tuesday 16th February 2010
Saturday night's all right for fighting . . . well it was at The Nellie Peck.
At number 57 West Street stood the listed building, the Nellie Peck public house with its highly decorated, late-Victorian façade adorned with coloured figures, cupola and weather-vane.
Dating originally from the early 19th century or possibly before, these features, along with eagles and mermaids, called to mind the structures of captains quarters on 18th and 19th century ships of the time.
I could imagine what it was like in those days to be swanning around town and landing at this watering hole dressed probably in garments not too dissimilar to attire I used to wear to the Hungry Years - a basque, stockings, suspenders, girdle and little else - entertaining and amusing the patrons of the time. I can imagine the local riff raff swigging their ale from pewter jugs whispering about the about the latest shady dealings they have got in to.
Previously known as The Compasses and before as The Carpenters Arms, the pub became Christie's Hotel in about 1901 and The Bosun in the 1970s. It then reverted to its original name before becoming the Nellie Peck in 1986. It was named after a Mississippi river boat and was never a shrinking violet.
This pub’s reputation as a villain’s pub was certainly near to the mark. It was notorious for attracting the criminal glitterati and undesirables.
The bar then was a long structure and was installed in 1925. In 1991 it was known as the Shark Bar. Now known as Heist it is a more modern affair.
The more colourful incidents which happened there included football hooliganism. In 1987 the pub experienced a gruesome incident when five youths were slashed and beaten by Blackpool fans brandishing wood, umbrellas and craft knives and began attacking people.
In another attack one onlooker quotes: “The Nellie Peck, I remember meeting some locals in there on a Friday, as Leeds tend to come down on a Friday. As I walked in some Leeds lad was getting a right slap, then chasing began to and fro through the night.”
I remember going there with a friend who was a chef who took me upstairs to the private drinking club. This venue had red velvet carpet and red velvet curtains. When you went up the stairs you felt very regal.
This was my brief introduction to one of Brighton's underworld venues. To say I was nervous about going there was an understatement. The name always made me slightly uneasy, knowing its reputation. But this was what made Brighton great having this on our doorsteps. Brighton living up to its sleazy image.
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