Where was "Empire Terrace"?
The reason "Empire Terrace" feels unfamiliar today is that the modern landscape has swallowed it up. In the "Colony" days, the area around Penhill Road and South Street looked very different.
Before the expansion of the Gardner & Scardifield hardware store and the construction of modern flats, that stretch was the true heart of the Carriage Works' social influence. Gardner & Scardifield sits on the "bones" of the old railway economy.
The Lost Landscape of Penhill Road
- Empire Terrace: A specific row of Victorian/Edwardian terraced houses built for the "pioneers" who arrived when the site opened in 1912.
- The Demolition: These cottages were cleared after the Works closed in the mid-60s. The modern flats on Penhill Road now occupy the spot where houses 1 to 4 once stood.
- The Club Remains: While the houses are gone, the Empire Club remains as a stubborn reminder of the lifeblood of this corner.
Empire Terrace: Occupants in 1958
| Address | Occupant (1958) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Empire Terrace | Ernest J. Hill | Right next to the club. |
| 2 Empire Terrace | Mrs L. M. Marshall | Likely a railway widow or long-term resident. |
| 3 Empire Terrace | William G. Peskett | Peskett is a very old Sussex name. |
| 4 Empire Terrace | Arthur H. J. King | End of the terrace. |
End of the Line for the Carriage Works
In September 1962, the Worthing Herald reported that the workforce was “shocked and dumbfounded” by the announcement of the closure. At the time, the Works employed 1,683 people.
The Political "Secret": While Dr. Beeching cited "excess capacity," many workers believed the decision was political. Eastleigh was a marginal constituency the government feared losing, while Lancing was a "safe" seat. Lancing was sacrificed to save votes in Hampshire.
The Saving Grace: Furniture firm Dennis & Robinson (now Manhattan Furniture) moved into the main building in 1965. Part of the deal was that they had to hire the former railway craftsmen, particularly the skilled upholsterers.
__________________________________________________________________________________The Context: The "Design Era" at TypowerJohn Drewett worked in the Design Department at Typower Ltd, which was housed in the repurposed railway sheds. His photos are particularly special because they capture the transition from the heavy steam and grease of the Carriage Works to the cleaner, "office-led" engineering of the 1960s and 70s.  |
| The Workplace: Typower Ltd |
A Tribute to John's View: John Drewett's photos capture a village in transition. Inside the sheds, the grease of the railway was replaced by the precision of power generators. In his interior shots, you can still see the original railway clock keeping time on the wall.
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| Diesel Generators on a test bed |
The Building: John’s office was on the upper level of the sheds (the area with the external staircase). This was originally designed to catch the "north light," which was essential for draughtsmen working on drawing boards before modern electric lighting was standard.
The Work: While the older generation remembered upholstery and paint, John’s world was one of Power Units and Design Specifications.
The Site: His photos showed how the Victorian brickwork of the Southern Railway was simply rebranded with new signs for companies like Whale Pumps and Typower, showing a site that "refused to die."
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| Diesel Generator being dispatched |
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| The 'Clean' Revolution: John Drewett’s drawing office. It’s a far cry from the soot and steam of the 1920s, but this was the new frontline of Lancing’s industrial survival. |
"In the mid-1960s, a new kind of worker arrived at the old gates. While the older generation remembered the steam and the smell of fresh paint in the Carriage Shops, men like John Drewett brought drawing boards and technical blueprints. Working in the upper floors of the repurposed sheds, John’s world was one of 'Power Units' and 'Design Specifications.'
It’s a tragedy we can’t ask John more today, but his photos act as a silent testimony. They show a site that refused to die—where the old Victorian brickwork of the Southern Railway was simply given a new set of signs and a fresh lease on life."
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The Master List: Production Transition
| Trade / Specialism | Key Names | Era | The "Skill" Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Maker | Mr Morris (Cyril’s Dad) | 1945–1950 | Precision tailoring for carriage privacy. |
| Upholsterer | Wilfred (Basil) Law | 1950s–1964 | Luxury leather work moved to Dennis & Robinson. |
| Draughtsman | John Drewett, Ted King | 1960s–1970s | The "White Heat" of tech at Typower Ltd. |
| Foreman | Bob Young | Typower Ltd | Oversaw the generator production loading. |
The Living Skeleton: Fast-forwarding to 2006, the 'saw-tooth' roofs remain. They are a reminder that while the 'Colony' is gone, its industrial spirit is still very much under cover.
Series Links: Lancing Village Memories
- Part 1: The Hidden Entrance
- Part 1b: The Philip Fry Collection
- Part 2: Lancing At War
- Part 2b: The Secret of the "Hush Hush" Shop
- Part 3: Mr Warr & the Fire Brigade
- Part 4: The Bofors Crew
- Part 4b: The Shingle Skeletons
- Part 5: Precision on the Front Line
- Part 6: Bomb Alley
- Part 7: The Invisible Colony (You are here)
- Part 8: The Skeletons in the Garden
- Part 9: Social Hubs of Lancing
- Part 10: Denis Edwards
We are stitching together the story of the 'Steel Ring,' one memory at a time. Every name we find is a tribute to Lancing’s heritage.
