Site Event/Activity record ECH2457 - Recorded remains from Foregate Street, Chester, 1903

Three phases of excavations have taken place at the site of the former Co-Operative Stores on Foregate Street (now No 86-90) in the early part of the 20th century. First, in 1903 the primary area of excavation was to the rear of No 86 Foregate Street at the junction between Foregate Street and Love Street. On this occasion a Roman ditch was observed but not excavated in full. (1). The ditch was described as seventeen feet wide and over five feet seep, and the stumps of burnt oak stakes were identified. The pottery was reported as very early (2). Further excavations took place in 1914 (ECH2466) to the east of the first site (No 88 Foregate Street) with a final phase in 1929 in advance of an extension to the shop to the rear of No 88 Foregate Street (ECH2202).