Building record 10994 - Electric Lighting Station

The Chester Electricity Station was constructed in 1895-96 by Thomas Parker and opened by the end of that year. The original plant consisted of D.C. Generators driven by triple expansion reciprocating steam engines.

The earliest cartographic evidence for the plant consisted of a single structure (later the eastern half of Building A) in 1898 that had doubled in size by 1908 with a further extension to the west. By 1910 the station had reached its capacity and a new hydro electric station was begun on the river Dee on the site of the Old Dee Mills. On its completion in 1913 it was designed to work in tandem with the New Crane Street station. During World War I it was used as a munitions factory In 1916 the original station was replaced with modern equipment.

In the 1920s and 1930s the New Crane Street station was gradually replaced by power from Queen's Ferry power station and the plant was made largely redundant by the 1940s although it remained open for specialist users until 1958. It was demolished in 1998. (1)

Archaeological monitoring carried out on the site in 2001 identified evidence of two vaulted brick tunnels, one of which was designed to carry cabled from the plant to Chester, the other of uncertain use. (2)

The facade has been retained in the present redevelopment of the site. (3)

Taylor Young, 2011, Chester City Centre and Approaches Characterisation Study (Report). SCH7131.

<1> National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside, 2001, An Archaeological Watching Brief at the Electricity Buildings Site, Old Port, Chester, R3008 (Client Report). SCH5355.

<2> West Yorkshire Archaeological Services, 1998, Chester Electricity Station, New Crane Street, Old Port, Chester, R3122 (Client Report). SCH6190.