43 Bridge Street, Chester, Medieval timber-framed shop in Bridge Street, Chester, England
43 Bridge Street is a four-story building featuring timber framing and plaster panels, distinguished by its grey slate roof and three-light mullioned windows. The ground floor now houses a repair shop, while the upper levels accommodate a restaurant as part of the Chester Rows structure.
The building started as a townhouse and was converted to a rectory in 1659 before being transformed into a shop in the early 1900s. These successive uses show how Chester's buildings adapted over time to meet changing needs of the city.
The interior panels display religious imagery that was added during renovation work, bringing spiritual elements into the commercial spaces. These artistic touches give the building a deeper meaning beyond its everyday shop and restaurant functions.
Access is from Bridge Street, and the building is part of Chester Rows, an unusual structure with shopping passages on multiple levels. Visitors should note that the current use as a repair shop and restaurant means some areas may not be publicly accessible.
Inside, you can find plaster molding from the 17th century and a staircase from the 18th century, remnants from different building periods. These hidden details tell the story of the different eras that shaped the structure.
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