Northwich High Street Post Office is the latest to benefit from Townscape Heritage project

The Post Office is the latest local business in the town centre of Northwich to join the line-up of shops including Crafty Stitches, One 2 One and Hays Travel, who have already benefited from the Townscape Heritage project.

The project is a National Lottery Heritage Fund partnership grant scheme with Cheshire West and Chester Council, that aims to enhance the quality and visual appearance of shops in High Street and Witton Street - focusing on improvements to the traditional, timber-framed buildings that give Northwich its unique character.

Architects, Graham Holland Associates, one of two architectural practices recently appointed by the scheme, is working on repairing and refurbishing the front elevation of the Post Office.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “We’re delighted that the Post Office has now taken up the opportunity to benefit from the scheme and we hope that more shops will follow in the future.

“Seeing our traditional buildings enhanced, alongside new developments that are happening within the town centre, take us a step closer to achieving our aim of creating a vibrant retail, leisure and cultural destination that residents and visitors to the town can enjoy.”

The Post Office at 58-60 High Street is a building with an interesting past. Numbers 58, 60 and 62 were originally built as three individual shops and may date from as early as 1860. The building differs from other local timber-framed units in the town in its use of terracotta to decorate the front elevation.

Number 58, the right-hand shop, was previously occupied by Charles Edward Hall, a painter and bookseller, whilst the adjoining shop, number 60, has had many occupiers over the years, including fishmongers, a fruit seller and a butcher. Joseph Smith a fish salesman at number 60 from 1919-1934 occupied the shop at the time of subsidence in the town.

After the Second World War, shops 58 and 60 were knocked through to form a single unit, which is how it’s used today by the Post Office.

Details about The Townscape Heritage Project are available on the website -  www.northwich-th.co.uk/

About the National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (HLF) uses money raised by National Lottery players to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy.  From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invests in every part of the UK’s diverse heritage.  www.heritagefund.org.uk.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund 

Pictured - Post Office - Northwich High Street