More work needs to be done on both 3 and 5 Fore Street, as both seem to have considerable history behind them, even if the final facades don’t show this.
On 5 March 1832 this property was described as ‘The Dwelling House and Premises now, and for many years past, in the occupation of Mr. Chubb, situated in Fore Street, Bridgwater. This property is well adapted to almost any kind of business; and may be converted into a shop or otherwise altered and repaired to suit the convenience of a Tenant. They are provided with proper Offices, and excellent underground cellars. Also a Warehouse and Counting House, situated on the Back Quay, now in the occupation of Mr John Bowen. The Wine and Spirit Business was carried on in these Premises for many years by Messrs Chubb, and has been continued up to the present period by Mr Bowen. From their contiguity to the Quay, and the most public part of the town, they are desirable for trade. The abovementioned premises, although forming two distinct Properties, one facing the Quay, and the other the Fore Street, are united behind, and may be Let separately or together.’ Bridgwater Alfred 5 March 1832.
It is unclear whether by 1832 the whole long plot had already been divided. as it is shown broken up in 1887, but we may interpret it that way as only one frontage to the Quay is mentioned.
Above, the 1887 25″ OS Map, Number 3 Fore Street picked out in Green and the extensive property of number 5 picked out in Blue. Left number 5’s much more extensive property picked out on the 1810s Town Plan. Below, the extent of the property from the 1810s overlaid on the 1887 Map.
The was no building fronting Fore Street in 1854, which may be the year the property was rebuilt.
We get a glimpse of the façade in this illustration of the town gaol, made between 1854 and 1875:
This corresponds well with later pictures of the building:
3 and 5 Fore Street in about 1910. Both of these buildings appear in photographs by Robert Gillo in the 1860s (Squibbs’ History of Bridgwater).
3 and 5 Fore Street in about 1950
In 1937 number 3 was part of the Fore Street Clothing Company, while number 5 was Lock and Son Drapers. By 1960 number 3 was Langton Geoffrey Masons’ Chartered Accountants, while number 5 was still Lock and Sons. Both were demolished in 1966.
Receipt 5 April 1941 for the Fore Street Clothing Company.
