A terrace befitting a seafront

This area sported a terrace befitting any seaside resort '“ Colebrook Terrace.

Construction started on September 24, 1824, at a time when there was a lot of development in the town.

Lady Colebrook, whose family had represented Arundel in Parliament, laid the foundation stone. A press report of the time stated: 'It is anticipated by the ensuing year many first rate residences will be completed for the reception of the distinguished visitors to this delightful watering place.'

The crescent, which contained four stucco-fronted buildings, was named after Sir Edward Colebrook, Bt of Barn Rocks, Aldwick.

It was originally named New Crescent and more than 300 men were employed to work on this major town construction.

The designer of the terrace was Mr Samuel Beazeley Jnr, who also built the Theatre Royal in Dublin, and was responsible for the remodelling of the Drury Lane Theatre, the Royal Lyceum and the faade of the Adelphi in London.

By 1828 all the buildings in Colebrook Terrace were owned by Andrew Sorrell. The terrace consisted of such memorable buildings as Highbury, Canonbury, Colebrook, Eversley, Clarence Hotel and The Pennington Hotel, and we shall now turn our attention to these individually.

If we have a look at the 1881 census, we find reference to some of these buildings. For example, Highbury House is recorded with Mr and Mrs Tyler, coachman, his wife and their two children. Charles Barlow is shown as the owner of Highbury with his wife and two children. Julia Lawford was the owner of Canonbury House. Colebrook House's occupants were George Fishbourne, baptist minister and his wife, their children and their domestic servant. This terrace of buildings continued for many years as private residences and little reference is made to them during this period.

Starting at the west end, we first come to Highbury House, No 1 Colebrook Terrace. In a 1923 town guide it was advertised as a board residence, which was 'working towards Christian Temperance Principles'.

The proprietress was a Miss Mable, and the terms at this time were two to three guineas per week. Late in 1930, Highbury House was advertised as then under the new management of Mr and Mrs Leslie Mable.

The advert went on to say that they now offered separate tables, mid-day dinner, liberal and varied menus, with electric light being provided throughout, but there was no increase in the rates.

Highbury House also became well known as the Highbury Tea Gardens with its sunken tea garden, which could cater for up to 1,500 people.

It had a covered area where thousands of children and others could '˜come again' according to the advertisement. Another advertisement declared that it provided 'cold luncheons with 500 seats under cover, plain teas in three large shelters also meat teas'.

Next, we have Canonbury, also No 1 Colebrook Terrace, which was still a boarding establishment in 1933. Its telephone number was 1000, and you could send 'grams: Canonbury House, Bognor' a far cry from today's emails.