Tea shops

My favourite was Ma Egan's, the rooms situated in Stone Street off Preston Street. It was little more than a long hut with tables each side and a kitchen at one end.

Our visits at breaktime were an experience not to be missed. The tables, fixed to the outer walls, with benches each side, left a narrow walkway. Many people came in at this time so that the first sat just inside and then it filled up as far as the kitchen. It was a case of first in, first out, for it was virtually impossible to move otherwise. On entering, you would call out, "Mug (or cup) of tea and one and one," followed by the number of your party and then the table number. Tea was two old pence for a mug or one and a half pence for a cup. 'One and one' was a slice of bread and butter and a slice of bread and dripping with thick brown gravy on top.

Many and varied were the tea-shops around the Brighton and Hove area. One large chain was run by the Divall family, the principal one being opposite the Hippodrome in Middle Street. I can still recall the hiss and gurgle from the steam geysers as the taps were turned on and the huge teapots filled. The speciality of the house, rock cakes, were as light as a feather, shot through with sultanas; the name 'rock' was not applicable. The chain of Divall's stretched from Fiveways through to Brighton Station, Palmeira Square and Preston Circus.

Another institution was the London Dining Rooms, opposite New Road in Church Street. One could obtain an individual meat pudding for one penny. Many other small independent premises served the working man around the town. Sadly, few if any of the type described survive, for they were an institution in themselves. At some of the shops you stirred your tea with a spoon chained to the counter - fancy not trusting us!
Tim Wren - Flying Sparks

Tea Dances
Further along the road, near where C & A is now, there was a store called Staffords; quite a fascinating place where they sold ornaments and fancy goods, the sort not seen at any other shops. In the afternoons they held tea dances. There was a small charge for a cup of tea, sandwich and cake. You could either sit and watch or participate in the fox-trot, waltz and the quick-step. The music was provided by a piano and a violin.
Marjory Batchelor - A Life Behind Bars

The Tea Shop ladies of Ditchling
There were four tea-rooms in the heart of the village and several on the outskirts. Teas of bread, butter, jam, a slice of cake and a pot of tea could be bought for 1/6d (7 1/2p). Mrs. Weller at Wing's Place opposite the church also took in paying guests. Mrs. Partridge had the Sundown Tea-Rooms in the South Road. This was the first home of the Bowling Club. She also had a tennis court which could be hired, not only by local people, but also by those calling in for teas. Mrs. Black was at the Old Forge Tea-Rooms which was next door to the North Star Inn in North Rd.

Mrs. Black always wore green stockings and a long green cloak with a tall black hat, rather like those depicted in pictures of witches. This of course seemed very strange in the times when married women usually wore black. Mrs. Creighton-Brown had the tea-room at Old Yard. This was an ex-army hut next to the playing fields at the far end of the Lewes Rd., towards Westmeston.
Doris Hall - Growing up in Ditchling