Shops / News
Shop in historic almshouses to close
A shop in one of the few remaining historic buildings in Broadmead is due to close by the end of January.
Jack Wills occupies what was originally the Merchant Taylors’ almshouses on Merchant Street, dating back to 1701 and one of Bristol’s earliest brick buildings.
As almshouses, they were built by the Merchant Taylors’ guild to accommodate nine people, with three dwellings in each of the three sides of the building around a central courtyard.
is needed now More than ever
The Merchant Taylors’ almshouses painted by Thomas Leeson Scrase Rowbotham (1783-1853) – courtesy of Bristol Culture
Dating back to 1701, the almshouses are one of Bristol’s earliest brick buildings – photo: Historic England
The building was a branch of Lloyds bank from 1955 until 1990 when it was incorporated into the newly built Galleries – photo: Audax Andy
The current structure – which now forms part of the Galleries shopping centre – replaces earlier almshouses dating back to the late 16th century which were located on what was then Marshall Street.
After stopping being almshouses, the building was the premises of Bristol Corporation’s weights and measures department until 1955 and then a branch of Lloyds bank until 1990 when it was incorporated into the newly built Galleries.
It opened as the Almshouse pub in 1992 and was a cafe before becoming Jack Wills clothes shop.
The first floor of the former almshouses has a highly impressive ceiling – photo: Martin Booth
Original touches remain such as this fireplace on the ground floor – photo: Martin Booth
The decision by Jack Wills to close the shop comes as the Galleries is living on borrowed time.
Future plans are for a £550m mixed use scheme, replacing the existing shopping centre and multi-storey car park with offices, student accommodation, flats, an ‘aparthotel’ and shops around a new pedestrian landscaped street.
The back entrance of Jack Wills opens up onto the ground floor of the Galleries – photo: Martin Booth
Explore some hidden corners of the Old City including the former Bristol headquarters of the Merchant Taylors’ guild in a walking tour with Martin Booth: www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
