Brighton: Blue plaque unveiled at new Lewes Road student accommodation

The plaque commemorates 14 people who died when a bomb hit the Lewes Road Inn, in the road of the same name in Brighton on September 20, 1940.

New student residence Ravilious House has been built across the road, near where the bomb hit.

The Lewes Road Inn had been a popular pub in the city but it was completely demolished in the attack.

The new blue plaque (Image: Alumno)

The pub landlord and his wife were killed in the bombing, but their dog survived.

This area of Lewes Road had been targeted by bombing because it was near to the Brighton Lighting Electrical Engineering Company, which was involved in making switchgears at its premises in St Martin’s Place.

The Lewes Road Inn in the 1930s (Image: Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission)

The student residence, which was named after Eric Ravilious, an artist with a strong connection to the area, was opened on Thursday, November 30.

Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, unveiled the plaque alongside members of the Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission.

• READ MORE: Blue plaque unveiled for renowned artist

The Ravilious Building was developed by student accommodation specialists Alumno and has four storeys.

It has space for 60 students, who are mostly from the Screen and Film School in Brighton.

Along with studio flats, it features many two-aspect rooms, along with a cinema and billiard room, bar, library area, and plenty of space for cycle parking. 

There is also a café and retail space on the ground floor and basement, as well as internal and external communal areas for relaxation and study.

These include a green rooftop winter garden which has views over Brighton and encourages biodiversity and improves air quality.

Ravilious House in Lewes Road (Image: Alumno)

Two prints by Ravilious are on show in the garden.

“We are delighted to have partnered closely with The Screen and Film School, Brighton to tailor this project for their specific needs and ideas,” said Alumno's managing director David Campbell.

“Ravilious House is in Lewes Road, known as Brighton’s academic corridor due to its proximity to several higher education establishments, including Brighton and Sussex Universities, making it the ideal site for a student residence.

"As with all our projects, we have worked closely with the local authority and residents to deliver maximum benefit to the adjacent community.”