Monument record 10065 - Northgate Brewery, Water Tower Street

The largest brewery in Chester, the Northgate Brewery operated until the 1970s when it was demolished to make way for residential housing. Much of the site was cleared away in 1973 before archaeological investigation began and in consequence all that was recorded was a number of rock cut barrel vaulted cellars and the foundation base for much of the 1940s complex. A plan of the 1940s complex included a wine shop and store on the Northgate Street frontage, an office, fitters & garage, coopers shop and generator on the Water Tower Street frontage and a switch room, hop back, slack shed, barrel lift and yeast room to the rear around a central courtyard area. (2)

The earliest evidence for brewing on the site dates to the mid 18th century and consists of a roughly square structure with a sandstone paved floor interpreted as a barley roasting house dated to the late 18th century, contemporary with the terraced houses (CHER10151). (2)

An air raid warning siren was fitted onto the Northgate Brewery during World War II. (5)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<2> Davey, P. J., 1973, Chester Northgate Brewery Phase One (Monograph). SCH950.

<3> Ward, S. W., 1994, Saxon Occupation within the Roman Fortress: Sites Excavated, 1971-81 (Archaeological Service Excavation & Survey Reports) (Monograph). SCH5486.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<5> Lowry, B, 1998, The Defence of Britain: WWII buildings in Chester (Unpublished Report). SCH7074.