Heritage Open Day: First Base is a Day Centre for people experiencing homelessness - we provide support to help people find a way off the streets.
We are based in St Stephens Hall - a building with a fascinating history! Formerly located on Old Steine and part of the Royal Pavilion estate, the building was bought by the Prince Regent and was once one of the most fashionable assembly rooms in 18th Century Brighton. After creating the Pavilion's Music Room the Prince re-purposed the building as a chapel. When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, she planned to have the building demolished but it was saved by Mary Anne Wagner, who wished to preserve the building as a Church and arranged for it to be moved brick by brick to its current location on Montpelier Place.