The Swan Downer School

The former Swan Downer School

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Now Vegetarian Shoes

By Peter Crowhurst, North Laine resident

No 12 Gardner Street, now the Vegetarian Shoes store, was built as the Swan Downer School in 1816. Just barely visible behind the shop sign is an inscription to the Swan Downer School, which was founded by the bequest of a wealthy London merchant for the education of 20 girls. It moved to Windsor Street in 1859, after which the building became a pub, the Sussex Arms.