Names on the buses

682 Samuel Lewis

782 Samuel Lewis

Connections with Brighton and Hove : 1837-1901
Samuel Lewis was born in Birmingham to a poor family. After his father died, Samuel began working at age 13 to support his family. He sold steel pens and watch parts. He then moved to London and opened a jewellery shop. Later, he became a money lender and grew very wealthy. By the time he died, his fortune was estimated at £2.6 million - a huge amount at the time. Samuel lent money to many important people, including members of royal circles. He had homes in London and Maidenhead. He also owned a house at Brunswick Terrace in Hove. Samuel's early family life growing up in poverty and hardship was never forgotten. He spent his life helping people in need by funding affordable housing. He also supported hospitals, including the Royal Sussex County Hospital and a convalescent hospital at Black Rock in Brighton. After his death, the Samuel Lewis Housing Trust was created using a large donation from his estate. The Trust built its first homes in Islington and later expanded across London. In 2001, it became the Southern Housing Group, one of the largest providers of rented housing in the South East. Ada Lewis, his wife, also cared about housing, especially for single working women in London. One of the hostels funded by her will was Ada Lewis House on Old Kent Road, which later became known as Driscoll House. Samuel lived according to his motto "I lend to the Lords; I give to the poor." He was both financier to the wealthy and benefactor to the underprivileged. His legacy has shaped social housing today.

682 Scania Omnidekka - carried name since delivery in September 2007 in Regency livery. Regency branding changed March 2011. Repainted into standard livery May 2014. Regency branding added August 2014. Regency branding removed May 2016. Bus sold in May 2024. Name reappeared on 782 ADL Enviro400 in December 2025.