For British Life & Culture we had to do a short write up on something about the Brighton trip.  To give you a little more background on the town, Here is my write up on the economic force of Brighton:

Brighton, a beach town in England that contributes to part of the city of Brighton and Hove, has an incredibly rich history rooted in its ties to the royal monarchy beginning in the 1800s.  Although the town’s connections to Price Regent and the Royal Pavilion are both important and impressive pieces of Brighton’s identity, it was something much less regal that caught my attention.  As a self- admitted shop-aholic, it was the community found within “The Lanes” of Brighton that intrigued me the most.  I have been to many of the best shopping areas in America, from New York City to Los Angeles, but I had never seen anything like Brighton’s “Lanes.”  The fact that Brighton has a history of being a fishing based economy, and is now one of the best retail shopping spots in England interested me in how the economy of the area underwent the change of commerce.

Brighton’s economic presence began in 1313 when Brighton’s main profit came from its daily fish market and weekly pig and corn markets.  Brighton was also the home of a popular annual fair that attracted all sorts of consumers and merchants during the Middle Ages.  Brighton began as a small town consisting of four streets, and the paths connecting these streets.  Middle Street was up and running by 1500 and, along with the fishermen’s huts on the beach, the economic growth of the area began (Lambert. 2006) (Visiting Brighton).

In the early 16^th century the French burned Brighton, which was then called Brighthamstead.  The town was able to quickly rebuild and by the end of the 16^th century Brighton was back to being a market town.  The French, along with the Dutch, gave Brighton more of a problem in the 17^th century with warfare causing a decline in the fishing industry.  It was also in the 17^th century, in 1660, that the now known name of Brighton began being used, but it wasn’t until 1810 that it became the official name.  The early part of the 18^th century was not much better for the town, as it suffered two major storms that prolonged the economic downturn of the area and increased the erosion of the shore. (Lambert 2006).

The very end of the 18^th century brought Brighton some luck and good fortune.  In 1750 Dr. Richard Russell wrote a book claiming that bathing in the seawater would bring good health.  The wealthy flocked to the town to bathe in the waters.  The Prnce of Wales visited the shore area and the poor economic situation of Brighton rebuilt and really began to thrive.  In the time between 1774 and 1789 theaters, schools, assembly rooms, taverns, and a market house were built.  The town’s infrastructure was increased and improved with many new streets and houses built.  The most famous of these houses was the Pavilion built in 1787.  Many of the famous Brighton Lanes were established by 1792 ending the 18^th century on a high and prosperous note (Lambert 2006, 2007).

During the 19^th century Brighton was booming.  New neighborhoods developed, piers and railways were built, a newspaper began printing, and a telephone exchange was opened.  The mid to late 1800s was most obviously a busy time for the growing town, and with new attractions, like an aquarium and a museum, the towns resident and visitor populations sky-rocketed.  The transformation of Brighton did not end in the 1800s, but carried on well into the 20^th century.  The town opened various entertainment activities, such as a cinema, a boating pool, playgrounds, and parks.  In the 1930s the town began to clean up the dirty fishermen’s villages, and built a new market and more housing.  Through this time, the Lanes were left virtually untouched, and continued to prosper (Lambert. 2006).

To this day, one may consider Brighton to be an affluent and successful beach resort town.  The Lanes of Brighton are one of the town’s biggest draws for tourists, and those just looking for great shopping in one convenient location.  The New York Times credits the “chic Londoners” with the transformation and popularity of Brighton in the more recent years, but I don’t think Brighton would be were it is today without the hard work and determination of those who fought to improve the town centuries ago (Jones.2008).  I very much enjoyed touring the town, and may have to go back to see some of the sights mentioned as I did my research.  The town is beautiful and embodies such a deep history one can not help but be enthralled by the transformation of Brighton from a small and dingy ship port to an opulent beach resort on the English Channel.