Pub Heritage Ladies Mile
Pub Heritage Group have recently carried out a regrading of Real Heritage Pubs - click here for full details
East Sussex - Brighton
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed Status: Not listed
2 Mackie AvenueBrighton, Patcham
BN1 8RA
Tel: (01273) 554647
Email: info@theladiesmilepub.co.uk
Website http://www.theladiesmilepub.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ladiesmilepub1
Real Ale: Yes
Lunchtime Meals: Yes
Evening Meals: Yes
Public Transport: Near Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
Interwar pub-building at its best; Neo-Georgian in style and with a fine Moderne interior. Built as the Ladies Mile Hotel in 1935 and designed by architect Arthur Packham (1866–1947), it formed a focal point in a major housing development by Scottish-born entrepreneur George Ferguson. The exterior is symmetrical with a grand central colonnade (a shame about the glitzy modern mirror tiles applied on the columns). Through the central entrance is a long bar largely covered by a truly remarkable six-sided illuminated glass canopy which does seem an original feature. The counter is a sleek, curved Moderne affair and the bar back is mostly original. Note the sexy statuette on the counter and others gracing the seating (the latter not original). This area beneath the canopy was originally the public bar and either side of it were two smaller, separate rooms; a saloon left and private bar right. Various changes have taken place over the years, starting in 1970, whereby the three bars are now linked and the original kitchen has been thrown open to the former private bar. The counter has been shortened on the left and also modified on the right. There are some lovely metal door furnishings and also fireplaces with small panels of horsewomen energetically traversing the ‘Ladies’ Mile’: This name refers to the old drove-road between Patcham and Stanmer and popular with female riders in the late nineteenth century. Structurally separate from the pub is the fine-looking ‘Function Hall’, still much used for private events. It has a barrel-vaulted ceiling and original 1930s work in the bar-back and loos. Curiously the Ladies Mile has no sign of an off-sales that might have served the thirsty denizens of Mr Ferguson’s huge new estate.
A 1934 purpose built estate pub (possibly by Friary, Holroyd and Healy) of red brick with a curved colonnade and which still retains much of its Art Deco interior. Just inside is a striking six-sided stained glass Art Deco skylight in red, lime and gold. The exterior doors indicate it was built as three separate bars but today there is a long gently curved counter, the two end sections run through the line of original dividing walls.
In the 1960s it would appear that the counters in the public bar on the left and smoke room on the right were moved through 90 degrees and the central bar counter truncated at both ends by some feet - note how the bar fronts are more decorative on the left and right with a plainer panelled central section. The bar back is mostly original apart from the insertion of a window on the right hand side. There are 4 original Art Deco grey marble with good quality wood surrounds fireplaces - three of which have a horse-rider panel in relief. The Art Deco looking banquettes actually date from the 1960s - the original seating ran along the exterior wall and that in the right hand side runs across the original doors into this room. Note the glorious Art Deco statuette some 18 inches high as the centrepiece on the counter top.
The rear right area was, we were told, a kitchen prior to the 1960s, but not sure what it was when built. The wall between it and the right bar was removed in the 1960s and there are no old fittings here. The gents' toilet on the left retains its original wall tiling, two large urinals and sink, the ladies also retains original tiling. The modernised gents toilet on the right was also used by customers of the Saloon Bar hence the disused exterior door (locals call this the busman's toilet as this was a terminus!)
On the right is a free-standing brick-built function hall with barrel vaulted roof which has lost its folding partition wall that divided it into two equal sized rooms. It retains its original 1930s bar back, the bar counter looks like the original superstructure but was re-ronted in the 1960s and has a modern top. The seating looks 1960s. The front lobby and toilets have terrazzo floor, toilets retain original tiling and sinks, there is a 'Penny in the Slot' on the ladies WC but the partition in the gents is a puzzle - did the ladies and gents change sides in the 1960s? Lots of original doors in Art Deco design with brass handles. There is no obvious signs of an off sales.
Full Description
In the 1960s it would appear that the counters in the public bar on the left and smoke room on the right were moved through 90 degrees and the central bar counter truncated at both ends by some feet - note how the bar fronts are more decorative on the left and right with a plainer panelled central section. The bar back is mostly original apart from the insertion of a window on the right hand side. There are 4 original Art Deco grey marble with good quality wood surrounds fireplaces - three of which have a horse-rider panel in relief. The Art Deco looking banquettes actually date from the 1960s - the original seating ran along the exterior wall and that in the right hand side runs across the original doors into this room. Note the glorious Art Deco statuette some 18 inches high as the centrepiece on the counter top.
The rear right area was, we were told, a kitchen prior to the 1960s, but not sure what it was when built. The wall between it and the right bar was removed in the 1960s and there are no old fittings here. The gents' toilet on the left retains its original wall tiling, two large urinals and sink, the ladies also retains original tiling. The modernised gents toilet on the right was also used by customers of the Saloon Bar hence the disused exterior door (locals call this the busman's toilet as this was a terminus!)
On the right is a free-standing brick-built function hall with barrel vaulted roof which has lost its folding partition wall that divided it into two equal sized rooms. It retains its original 1930s bar back, the bar counter looks like the original superstructure but was re-ronted in the 1960s and has a modern top. The seating looks 1960s. The front lobby and toilets have terrazzo floor, toilets retain original tiling and sinks, there is a 'Penny in the Slot' on the ladies WC but the partition in the gents is a puzzle - did the ladies and gents change sides in the 1960s? Lots of original doors in Art Deco design with brass handles. There is no obvious signs of an off sales.
