Brighton rocks

AFTER the Second World War, Brighton tended to attract newspaper coverage for its cottage—or, rather, hotel—industry providing evidence for divorces. Later, it was for bank-holiday rumbles between Mods and Rockers. More to its credit, the East Sussex city could boast more than 200 antiques shops, many crowded in The Lanes and the adjoining North Laine area, the largest centre for the trade outside London.

There was great variety in size, scope and quality: at the upper end were famous dealers with international clienteles, at the lower, the town