Amazing photos show 20th century working life in Brighton

But working from home was not an option for the people in these pictures.

This week’s fantastic selection of images from The Keep archive in Falmer show women at work in Brighton.

It is easy to see how much the city has changed.

Most stark is the picture of the Corn Exchange above.

Originally a riding school built for Prince George, it soon became a hall for grain traders – hence the name.

But by the time this photo was taken in 1959 the exchange was used for sorting letters.

Meanwhile the picture below shows the Brighton Telephone Exchange, a long-gone feature of the city.

The Brighton Telephone Exchange in 1938. Photo: East Sussex Record Office/The Keep

Awards were even given out for the best “Telephone Personality Girl”.

One of those lucky winners was a Ms B Peck-Brookes, featured in the photo below.

Ms B Peck-Brookes, winner of the Telephone Personality Girl in May 1959. Photo: East Sussex Record Office/The Keep

Brighton was at the forefront of the advent of the telephone ever since eccentric inventor Magnus Volk installed one in his home in 1879.

Five years later the town was the first area to have a telephone link to London – though only about 100 people had a telephone at the time.

But perhaps the most beloved workplace in these pictures is popular department store Hanningtons.

Ms Thurger of Hanningtons in September 1958. Photo: East Sussex Record Office/The Keep

First opened as a small drapery shop in North Street by Smith Hannington in 1808, it was soon known as the Harrods of Brighton.

It remained in the family until the 1960s, operating for nearly 200 years until it closed in 2001.

To order these photos and others, call The Keep on 01273 482349 or visit thekeep.info.