The Sussex Club

The Sussex Club was short-lived but well-remembered women's bar, operating between 1992-1995, the venue was pivotal in the lives of many lesbians in Brighton and Hove and further afield.

Founded by Shirley Blackle, the Sussex Club was located in down a mysterious basement in Regency Square. Visitors had to ring a bell and wait to be admitted. The club's name is likely to have been the name of the venue previous to it being a women's club. It is uncertain whether the venue had previously been a gay venue, but it had primarily previously operated as a members club.

It was opened as a safe place for women to enjoy being with friends and being themselves - including playing pool. License restrictions meant that it had to open as a members club, and only admit those over the age of 25. When Shirley set up the club, she was only 24, and had no experience of owning a business previously! Members needed to sign up 24 hours before they could partake in a drink, and could also sign in guests. Due to licensing restrictions, the bar had to close at 11pm (10:30pm on a Sunday), and was often spot-checked by police. It attracted women from Brighton, but also further afield including London.

To publicise the venue, Shirley made a leaflet on A6 paper, and went round to different venues and guesthouses, asking for them to display the leaflet.

The club closed in 1995 when Shirley moved on to pastures new.